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Brendan Rodgers heaps praise on Kasper Schmeichel ahead of 400th game

Saturday's game against Southampton will be a milestone for the Denmark international.

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers has lavished praise on Kasper Schmeichel ahead of the goalkeeper's 400th appearance for the club.

The Denmark international is set to reach the landmark on Saturday night when the Foxes host Southampton in the Premier League.

Rodgers, who has previously described Schmeichel as world-class, hailed the mental strength of the 34-year-old in stepping out of his father's shadow – Manchester United great Peter Schmeichel – and believes his dedication to the game and will to win are what has taken him to the top and made him an inspiration to other players at the club.

"He was always going to be compared to his father, who was one of the world's best, and that was never going to be easy," said Rodgers.

"But I think it really shows you how tough he is mentally. He was probably just known as Peter Schmeichel's son but he has now earned all the praise for himself because of the career he's had.

"His devotion and mentality has really seen him excel at the highest level. He doesn't get tired every day of doing the right things and I can't speak highly enough of him.

"He's super professional and loves training and pushes himself to the limit everyday. He's a great inspiration to the young goalkeepers, and the other players at the club, and he has some old school values, which I really like.

"His spirit is very strong and he wants to win. He's very, very competitive. He wants to win every game in training and he takes that into matches.

"On top of all that, he's a really good guy. He's been a brilliant goalkeeper for me in my time here, and for other managers before me."

Leicester resume their Premier League campaign against a Southampton side who arrive at the King Power Stadium on the back of a victory over champions Liverpool.

Rodgers said: "This is a tough game for us, but it's also an opportunity for us.

"They are very well organised and want to play on the front foot and press the game and they work very hard. They have quality players and an excellent manager, and when you put all that together it makes them a very good team."

Rodgers has been dealt an injury blow with the news that Dennis Praet will be out for around three months after damaging a tendon in his hamstring.

However, top scorer Jamie Vardy and midfielder James Maddison return to the squad after missing the FA Cup win at Stoke.

Right-back Ricardo Pereira (groin), winger Cengiz Under (hamstring) and centre-back Caglar Soyuncu (groin) are also back in contention and could be involved in some capacity on Saturday night, although Rodgers said their returns would be managed "step by step".

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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City34255471244780
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd331910464352967
3Leicester CityLeicester34196961392263
4Chelsea341710753312261
5West Ham UnitedWest Ham341771055441158
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs341681060382256
7Liverpool33159955391654
8Everton33157114542352
9Arsenal34147134637949
10Aston Villa331461348381048
11Leeds UnitedLeeds34145155052-247
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34119143346-1342
13Crystal Palace33108153456-2238
14Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton34813133539-437
15Southampton33107164159-1837
16Burnley3499163147-1636
17Newcastle UnitedNewcastle3499163656-2036
18Fulham34512172545-2027
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom34511183165-3426
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd3452271860-4217

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