Leicester boss Rodgers defends Maddison after England snub

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Leicester boss Rodgers defends Maddison after England snub

Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers has defended James Maddison after his England Euros snub.

Rodgers wants Maddison to use this stinging disappointment to drive him on when he returns from a deserved summer break - fitter than ever.

He said: "James has been unfortunate the way the season has panned out.

"He didn't start the season and it was difficult for him but then he got a run of games and was exceptional.

“He was creating and scoring goals. It was looking very good for him. Then, he's picked up the injury and he hasn't got back to the level of fitness he needs."

Rodgers says Maddison's mobility was hit by the stop-start nature of his season - a crucial asset for such a creative talent.

He explained: "When you are a very gifted technical player - as he is - you have to be able to move to be able to get on the ball.

“Then, when you have the ball, you need the fitness to produce at such a high technical level. That's something, unfortunately, that's just not quite been there."