Brendan Rodgers admits Leicester star James Maddison is losing his battle to be fit for England

James Maddison is losing his battle to win an England recall for this month’s World Cup qualifiers due to the hip problem that has ruled him out of Leicester’s last four matches.

The playmaker had been in outstanding form before feeling pain in his hip, which was operated on last summer, during the 2-1 win at Aston Villa last month.

Although Maddison and Leicester are confident he does not need more surgery, he is no nearer returning.

 Brendan Rodgers (left) has refused to put a time scale on James Maddison’s (right) recovery

England boss Gareth Southgate may not be able to include Maddison in his immediate plans

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers admitted: ‘We are probably looking at after the international break.

‘Day on day he’s getting better. There’s no timeline on it – it’s just a case of how he feels. There’s a bit of soreness there. He’s as frustrated as we are.

‘There’s always that element of frustration when you are on the treatment table watching everybody outside. It’s in the same area but it’s not the same injury. There’s a reaction in the tendon but hopefully he will be back sooner rather than later.’

Maddison had registered eight goals and five assists in the league alone and was pushing hard for a place in Gareth Southgate’s squad as he attempted to win his second cap following his debut against Montenegro in November 2019.

The 24-year-old was playing catch-up during the early part of the campaign due to the original hip operation but soon found his fitness and rhythm and was playing a key role in Leicester’s bid for a top-four finish.