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Brendan Rodgers eyes attacking reinforcements in the summer

Brendan Rodgers eyes attacking reinforcements in the summer
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Brendan Rodgers's Leicester have missed their 13-goal talisman in recent matches.

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers will target a striker during the summer transfer window to provide back-up for Jamie Vardy.

The 34-year-old's absence has been keenly felt recently, with the Foxes earning only one point from the matches he has missed against Everton and Leeds.

Vardy is recovering after undergoing a hernia operation 10 days ago and his absence will continue when Rodgers' side play Fulham at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night.

Ayoze Perez has been deputising while Vardy has been on the sidelines and Kelechi Iheanacho is also an option, but neither can truly fill the void left by the 13-goal top scorer.

Injuries to Dennis Praet and Wilfred Ndidi meant signing a midfielder was the priority during the winter transfer window, although that closed on Monday night without Leicester being able to get a deal over the line. But in the summer, Rodgers will turn his attentions to strengthening further up the pitch.

"Jamie is still, when he's fit and playing, up there with the best strikers in the league, but when you're playing the number of games we want to play and anticipate playing, then you need more than one," said the Foxes boss.

"We've got Kels (Kelechi Iheanacho) who has been a great support striker. He hasn't played so much and perhaps hasn't got the goals he would have wanted. But you always have to plan forward and that's something we look at here at the club, in every position, not just the striking position. It's constant, you always have to be planning forward and looking forward.

"We know Jamie's age. I still have great confidence in his fitness and his abilities but he can't do it all on his own. We respect that. That's something that will be continual over the next few months looking ahead to the summer market."

Leicester's luck with injuries is showing little signs of improving, with Timothy Castagne and Wesley Fofana added to the list as the fixtures begin to come thick and fast.

Both were forced off with hamstring issues during the home defeat to Leeds on Sunday and are doubts for the trip to Fulham.

"We'll cope with it," said Rodgers. "The players are looking forward to it, and myself and the coaches are looking forward to the challenge of it.

"We know it's going to be tough physically and mentally, but that's the test you want every day. We will relish it.

"We want the games. Playing in Europe has been brilliant for us, and with the FA Cup, it means we're succeeding, which is great. I would rather have that than playing once a week."

The Foxes, fourth in the Premier League table following the loss to Leeds, have the chance to keep themselves in the title race with victory at Fulham.

Rodgers said: "Our season has been defined by some of the setbacks we've had. Losing some games and then regrouping, pressing the reset, getting our confidence levels high and going into the next game – and I don't anticipate it being any different."

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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City22155243142950
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd23136449301945
3Leicester CityLeicester23134639251443
4Liverpool23117544291540
5Chelsea23116638241439
6West Ham UnitedWest Ham2311663428639
7Everton2111463428637
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs22106636221436
9Aston Villa21112836241235
10Arsenal2394102723431
11Leeds UnitedLeeds2192103638-229
12Southampton228592937-829
13Crystal Palace228592737-1029
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2376102331-827
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2351082530-525
16Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2374122538-1325
17Burnley2265111429-1523
18Fulham2229111731-1415
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2326151854-3612
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2332181537-2211

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