Jamie Vardy return ‘a huge boost’ for Leicester, says Brendan Rodgers

Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers has welcomed the “huge boost” provided by Jamie Vardy’s return as the Foxes seek a first Premier League win of 2022 against Burnley.

Tuesday’s fixture at Turf Moor has been rearranged from January, when Burnley asked for a postponement due to Covid cases and injuries in their squad.

The Clarets had also sold striker Chris Wood to relegation rivals Newcastle the day before and had taken just 11 points from 17 games, but have since signed Wout Weghorst as a replacement and taken seven points from their last three matches.

That means Sean Dyche’s side are just six points behind 13th-placed Leicester but Rodgers is not contemplating being dragged into the relegation scrap.

“Respectfully, we try to look forward. It genuinely is that,” Rodgers said.

“We’ve played three to four games less than other teams so my focus is only looking forward. We have to win games to work our way up the table and that’s our only notion.

“I’ve never felt any pressure from the club. They understand the path we’re on. The journey has been great. We’ve hit a period where we’ve had inconsistent results but there’s been mitigating circumstances and they understand that.

“The ownership have been first class. They have been empathetic. But we know we want to improve. They have been around it long enough to understand that progress is not linear.

“There are sometimes breaks within that but it also makes us even more determined to get our rhythm back and get back to winning games.”

Vardy has not played since December 28 due to a hamstring injury, but remains the club’s top scorer with 11 goals in 22 appearances in all competitions.

“It’s always tough to be without good players and good characters as well and Jamie is a top