Brendan Rodgers tips Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall as future Leicester captain

Brendan Rodgers admires how Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall conducts himself on and off the field and believes the midfielder is a Leicester captain-in-waiting.

Dewsbury-Hall did not make his senior debut until he was 21 and then had loan stints with Blackpool in League One and Luton in the Championship, but he was awaiting a first Premier League appearance at the start of this campaign.

Now 23, Dewsbury-Hall has been a major beneficiary of Leicester’s injury problems this season and has been an ever-present in the top flight since making his maiden start against Aston Villa three months ago.

While the ballast he gives to Leicester in the middle of the park was hailed by Rodgers, the Northern Irishman is just as impressed at the academy product’s maturity and confidence off the pitch.

Rodgers said: “He’s a real throwback for me, he’s a real all-round midfield player for me: one that can get up and down but also put his foot in. He loves a tackle, which helps. He’s a proper midfield player.

“What’s surprised me is the consistency of his performances. But he’s so hungry to prove himself and for me he’s done it in the big games and he’s doing it consistently. He’s just been so wanting this chance.

“I think he’s a captain at some time in the future here. He leads, he inspires, he’ll give a voice and he’ll say what he thinks. He’s also very respectful and very humble. He’s a great ambassador for the club and the academy.

“I liked him from when I first came in. He gives us balance in the team, gives us legs, gives us quality, gives you the desire and at times lifts the team and that’s a sign of a really good player.”

Saturday’s 1-0 win over Leeds was Dewsbury-Hall’s 16th Premier League appearance this term and an 11th successive start,