Rodgers talks up fully-fit Maddison

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers says James Maddison is over his recent fitness concerns and will play a prominent role against Southampton on Friday. Leicester can move up to second in the top-flight standings – on a temporary basis at least – if they can secure a victory over the Saints at King Power Stadium, and they will be boosted by the availability of Maddison.
The former Norwich ace had been struggling with an ankle problem prior to the international break and he then subsequently had to withdraw from Gareth Southgate’s senior England squad due to illness.
However, the 22-year-old did feature for 73 minutes as Leicester claimed a 2-1 victory over Burnley last time out.
He has been training with the rest of the squad over recent days, with Rodgers confirming at his pre-match press conference that he will be able to play a prominent role against Southampton. “He’s fine,” Rodgers told reporters. “He’s been good in training up until now. He didn’t do much in the weeks after the Tottenham game. “He only had a few days, so he lasted the game (vs. Burnley) very well. He wasn’t quite up to match fitness, but he got a good period of the time in and he’ll be fit and ready for Friday.”
Rodgers also confirmed he has no fresh injury concerns, with Matthew James remaining the only long-term absentee. He has not featured for the first team at all since the FA Cup defeat to Newport in January. “Everyone’s training well and fine,” Rodgers continued. “We’re obviously another week or so down the line with a few of the boys in terms of their football fitness, so we’re all good.”
Leicester have failed to win any of their last three Premier League home games against Southampton, including a 2-1 defeat at King Power Stadium last season, with their most recent victory in the fixture coming during their title-winning season of 2015-16.