Leicester defender Wesley Fofana is a doubt for clash with Southampton

Chelsea target Wesley Fofana is a doubt for Leicester’s clash with Southampton on Saturday after missing part of this week’s training programme.

Sportsmail can reveal that the Frenchman has been absent from some of the Foxes’ preparation, with the precise reasons unclear. Manager Brendan Rodgers said on Thursday he would be prepared to drop Fofana if he did not feel the centre-back was in the right frame of mind to play.

‘Yes, 100 per cent,’ said Rodgers. 'If the players aren’t totally focused and committed to the club and being here, or for whatever reason just aren’t in the right mindset, that won’t help us.’

Chelsea have submitted two bids for Fofana of up to £65million, both of which have been rejected by Leicester, who are looking for a fee in excess of the £80m they received from Manchester United for Harry Maguire three years ago – the current world record for a defender.

It is unclear whether Chelsea are prepared to meet these demands, despite their need for a centre-back and Fofana’s clear wish to join them.

Leicester have yet to sign a senior outfield player this term and as well as the offers for Fofana, they have also turned down two bids from Newcastle for midfielder James Maddison.

Rodgers called for a ‘healthy shake-up’ of his squad last winter but Leicester’s tight financial situation has left little room for manoeuvre in the market.

Rodgers has been at Leicester since February 2019, winning the FA Cup last year and also leading the club to consecutive fifth-place finishes in 2020 and 2021.

He said: ‘We’ll always look to progress and move forward. Maybe we don’t have the financial clout to be able to do anything thus far. I would never sit in my seat because I’m not very good at maintaining.

‘I’ve shown