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Leicester's trip to Everton postponed following meeting of Premier League board

Leicester's trip to Goodison Park on Tuesday to face Everton has been postponed after a meeting o...



Leicester's trip to Goodison Park on Tuesday to face Everton has been postponed after a meeting of the Premier League board.

The Foxes were due to face off with Rafael Benitez' side on Tuesday evening, however, the Premier League granted Leicester's request to call off the game.

"Everton's match against Leicester City at Goodison Park, due to be played at 20:00 GMT on Tuesday 11 January, has regrettably been postponed," a statement from the Premier League read.

"The Premier League Board accepted Leciester's application as the club do not have the required number of players available for the match (13 outfield players and one goalkeeper) due to Covid-19 cases, injuries and players on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.

"The Board was able to make its decision in advance of the fixture to give clarity to the affected clubs and their fans.

Leicester, like several Premier League clubs, have a number of players that travelled to Cameroon to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations. Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi, Daniel Amartey and Nampalys Mendy are all unavailable until the tournament concludes.

It is the second time that the fixture has had to be rescheduled. Originally, the two teams were supposed to meet on December 19th, however, a Covid outbreak in the Leicester camp ensured it was postponed until January 11th.

After his side confidently dispatched Watford in the FA Cup third round, Rodgers had hinted that the team were struggling to cope with the lack of numbers available.

Leicester boss, Brendan Rodgers Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers

"We have been stretched in terms of numbers and, for the integrity of the competition, we will assess where we are at," Rodgers said.

"You have seen for yourself the squad and the team that we have. We need to go in and assess it and see where we are in terms of players. We will take it from there.

"I have never had this before. It is a unique situation. Covid, were out and we couldn't rest the ones who were playing, so they are overloaded. It is great some of them played but there was a cost to for that."

Leicester currently sit in 10th position in the Premier League while Everton are floundering in 15th place after a difficult start to life under Rafael Benitez' tenure.

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Brendan Rodgers Everton Goodison Park King Power Stadium Leicester Premier League Rafa Benitez