NIGERIANS Kelechi Iheanacho and Ademola Lookman are among the players who will not be able to play for Leicester City on Thursday due to a Covid-19 outbreak at the club.
Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers revealed on Wednesday night that there was an outbreak within the team and seven players would be missing for the UEFA Europa League clash with Napoli.
Leicester are currently the leaders of their tight group, and they visit the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona needing to avoid defeat.
“There are some players and staff who are not here. We have had some positive cases and some people who are not well,” Rodgers said during his press conference.
“Youri Tielemans has trained very well and he will be available. Ryan (Bertrand) has been out for a week or so and he will be available for the game. We have seven players missing, three staff.
“As for who, that’s something that you will see in time. It’s been the last few days really. You’re starting to see a few more cases. It’s about the health of our players and we have to respect the travel, coming into Italy. We still have a strong squad here. It’s just not a fully-fit squad.
“We tested before we boarded the flight and before we left the hotel. We’ve taken every measure to be as safe as possible.
“We have taken every measure. Even the players who are unwell, we couldn’t take any risk with those, as well as the guys who have Covid.”
Although Rodgers did not name the affected players, reports indicated that they include Iheanacho, Lookman, Daniel Amartey, Jaanik Vestergaard and Ayoze Perez.
Despite the absences, Rodgers is confident his side will go through to the next round.
He said: “It’s one we’re very comfortable on, knowing we have it on own hands. If we win, we top the group, if we don’t lose, we qualify. The key is to be positive in our mindset and try to win the game.
“Napoli are an excellent team but we played really well against them at home.
The game at the weekend, it showed we’re not too far away if we get rid of the mistakes. The team has a confidence there.”
