Leicester City

Brendan Rodgers suggests Islam Slimani can make impact at Leicester City

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 18 October 2020

Rodgers suggests Slimani can make impact at Leicester

Boss Brendan Rodgers says that he has welcomed forward Islam Slimani back into the Leicester City squad ahead of a busy period of the season.

Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers has suggested that he is ready to hand opportunities to Islam Slimani over the next two-and-a-half months.

Having spent three loan periods away from the King Power Stadium, Slimani was expected to depart the Foxes during the summer window.

However, after failing to secure a transfer elsewhere, the 32-year-old is now in line to play a part in the first team during the remainder of 2020.

Rodgers is quoted by Leicestershire Live as saying: "He's a player I've liked, but he wasn't going to feature so much for me, and when he came into the club he'd been a number one striker, so it was difficult for him, and that's why he's gone out to spend time on loan.

"He's not featured so much over the course of pre-season and the early season, because my thinking was that he would end up going out. But I had it in my mind that if he didn't go out, he can certainly be someone who could come into our squad. That's how it's evolved.

"He's not going out on loan, and he's someone I happily welcome in, because it's going to be a real demand for all of the players, so to have quality players is important. He showed during his time at Monaco – I saw him last year on the TV a number of times – he's someone who can contribute for us."

Slimani has not represented Leicester in a competitive fixture since making an appearance during an FA Cup tie against Fleetwood Town in January 2018.