'One Of The Best Ball-winners In Premier League' - Leicester Boss Admits He Missed Ndidi

Leicester City coach Brendan Rodgers has admitted that he missed Wilfred Ndidi whilst the holding midfielder was on the sidelines recovering from a knee problem and has labelled the Nigerian 'one of the best ball-winners in the Premier League'.

For the first time since February 28, Ndidi started a game for the Foxes as they registered a hard-fought 1-0 win over Birmingham City to advance to the quarterfinals of the Emirates FA Cup on Wednesday night, thanks to Ricardo Pereira's 82nd minute winner.

The Super Eagles star was replaced by Youri Tielemans in a premeditated substitution by Brendan Rodgers on the hour mark.

At the post-match press conference, Rodgers was asked by reporters if he missed Ndidi and he replied :"He’s a huge player, and our squad, we don’t have the depth to miss that level of player.

"A lot of the guys that come in, they contribute so well, but when you have one of the best ball-winners in the Premier League out for a period of time, of course you miss him.

"The plan was to give him an hour, get some game-time into his legs, and it was great to see him out there."

Kelechi Iheanacho, who has been recalled to the Super Eagles for this month's Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sierra Leone, led Leicester City's front-line vs Birmingham City in the absence of the recuperating Jamie Vardy.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : lcfc.com