‘Brilliant’ James Maddison can do no more to get England call, Brendan Rodgers insists

Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers insists James Maddison can do no more to earn an England recall.

The midfielder struck his 18th goal of the season in a final-day 4-1 stroll against Southampton.

Maddison, who also has 12 assists this term, has not played for England since his debut against Montenegro in 2019 and Three Lions chief Gareth Southgate names his Nations League squad on Tuesday.

“He can’t do any more (to return to England). He will be delighted with the season he has had,” said Rodgers after Ayoze Perez scored twice and Jamie Vardy also netted.

“He has been absolutely brilliant. He is hungry since that difficult start for him. He has power and quality, he scores today and creates one.

“He’s not tense, he’s free. He is fit and is playing the games. He is doing the running and doing the work. We have other players who need to do more as well and impact the game more but he himself has been absolutely brilliant.

“He is strong defensively, has been aggressive and his football talent is there for everyone to see. Look at his numbers, he has been first class and been, by quite a distance, our best player.”

Leicester finish eighth – four points off the European spots having seen their squad ravaged by injury this season.

Timothy Castagne missed their best chance of the first half when he headed over early and the game only came to life after the break.

Maddison opened the scoring four minutes into the second half when he tapped in after Alex McCarthy saved from Vardy – following two poor Lyanco headers.

Southampton were fuming, though, as they felt Leicester should have given them the ball back as they had been in possession when the play was stopped to attend to a Vardy head injury.

Referee Jon Moss presented the