Leicester boss Rodgers provides contract update on key defender

Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers believes defender Jonny Evans is ‘pretty close’ to signing a new contract with the club.

His current deal expires in June, which has led to speculation about his future and rumours of a transfer back to Man Utd.

The club began talks with the 32-year-old last month and it now looks like they’re close to finalising a deal.

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Speaking to reporters ahead of Leicester’s match against Brighton this weekend, Rodgers said: “I would think we’ll be pretty close on a deal, hopefully very soon.

“Importantly Jonny wants to be here. He sees the path the club is on, we move to a new training ground in the very near future so for him, at this stage of his career, he is at an exciting time at a club which is looking to move forward.

“Hopefully we can move forward on his deal and that will be complete very soon.

“He has been instrumental in what I’ve tried to do since I’ve come in. He is very much a coach for me on the field. He understands the game at the highest level, he understands the journey of where we’re trying to get to.

“He’s been there and knows what is required. His value to me, the coaches and team is huge. He knows we want him here.”

Rodgers should have James Maddison back after the England international missed their midweek victory over AEK Athens.

However, defenders Timothy Castagne and Caglar Soyuncu are unavailable.

Leicester could move into the top three with victory over Brighton, depending on other results.

Jamie Vardy will be hoping to continue his form after he scored in the match against Sheff Utd last weekend.