Big James Maddison update as Leicester City reveal injury latest ahead of Newcastle United tie

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has delivered an uncertain verdict on James Maddison’s availability ahead of Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Newcastle United.

The former Norwich City star has not featured for the Foxes since he scored in a 2-0 win at Premier League rivals West Ham United in November. That game came in the aftermath of the announcement Maddison had secured a place in England’s World Cup Finals squad - but a knee injury meant he failed to get any game-time during the tournament in Qatar.

Maddison also missed the Foxes’ previous meeting with Eddie Howe’s side as the Magpies eased to a 3-0 win at the King Power Stadium on Boxing Day. He has continued to watch on as his side fell to Premier League defeats against Liverpool and Fulham either side of New Years Eve.

Maddison - who was linked with a move to St James Park during the summer and remains a target for the Magpies - was also absent from the Leicester squad as a Kelechi Iheanacho goal gave them a 1-0 win at Gillingham in an FA Cup third round tie at the weekend.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday night’s tie at St James Park, Rodgers admitted he is missing some influential figures from his squad but stopped short of completely pulling Maddison out of the visit to Tyneside.

He said: “We are missing a couple of important players and players who really make a difference within our structure. But days like Saturday, it is a good feeling to get the win, tough conditions, cold. And hopefully we can get the good feeling into our next game which is the quarter-final.

When asked if Maddison would be available for Tuesday night, he added: “I don’t think so. It’s just day by day with James. Listen, we may go in tomorrow and it may be different but we’ll see.”