Leicester's Pereira out for six months with ruptured Achilles

Leicester City full back Ricardo Pereira has been ruled out for up to six months with a ruptured Achilles, manager Brendan Rodgers said on Friday, while winger Harvey Barnes is set for a few weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Both players, who have made over 100 appearances each for Leicester, were withdrawn during Sunday's 1-0 pre-season friendly win over LaLiga side Sevilla.

Pereira has been plagued by injuries since damaging his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in 2020. The 28-year-old underwent an operation on his Achilles this week, Rogers told reporters.

"It was looking really good and then we picked up some injuries in our last game here versus Sevilla," Rodgers said before Leicester host Brentford in their Premier League opener on Sunday. "Sadly, Ricardo will be out for up to six months.

"A lot of our game idea over the summer was based around full backs and him in particular... The last few years have been so unfortunate for him. It just snapped. He's looked so good in pre-season. He will be a big miss for us but we have to push on.

"Hopefully, Harvey won't be long. We didn't think it was too bad at the time, but he may be out for a few weeks yet with his knee. Apart from that, the squad is okay."

Leicester, who finished eighth in the league last season, are yet to sign a player in the current transfer window. Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel ended his 11-year stay at the club on Wednesday by moving to French Ligue 1 side Nice.