Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that centre-back Jonny Evans will miss Sunday's huge Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur at the King Power Stadium through injury.
The Northern Ireland international, formerly of both Manchester United and West Bromwich Albion, limped off in the first half of last weekend's FA Cup final triumph over Chelsea at Wembley, despite having just made a return from injury.
Evans was withdrawn after just 34 minutes and was replaced by Marc Albrighton, meaning Rodgers was forced into a tactical tweak.
The injury, which has since been confirmed as an ankle problem, was enough to rule him out of Tuesday's Premier League clash with Chelsea, and he will now miss the final day tussle with Spurs, meaning the Foxes will have to make do without one of their star players.
Rodgers, speaking during his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon, said: "Jonny Evans will miss out. Everyone else who was available the other night will be available."
To be without Evans is a real hammer blow for the Foxes, especially for a game of such importance. Leicester have to avoid defeat against Spurs and hope that Liverpool or Chelsea slip up in the battle for the top-four.
Leicester, who beat Spurs 2-0 in the reverse fixture at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium back in December, currently find themselves fifth in the table, level on points with Liverpool and one behind Chelsea, highlighting just how crucial their final day assignment is.
But to combat the loss of Evans, Leicester may hand one final start to outgoing club captain Wes Morgan, who has announced that he will retire from playing following Sunday's game.
Although Rodgers has not given an answer on whether or not the veteran will come in to replace Evans and be given one final appearance, the Foxes chief, who has been heavily linked with replacing Jose Mourinho in north London, has heaped praise on his Leicester career, which, of course, featured lifting the Premier League title in 2015/16.
"To have played over 750 games, to not have played top-flight football until he was 30 years of age, to have won three trophies, he has an iconic status here," said Rodgers.
"He will always be a legend here as the captain who lifted the [Premier League] trophy. Sadly his career has come to an end. He’s an amazing guy.
"It was important for me to keep him here as an important person in the changing room.
"He will retain an association with the club."
Whilst Sunday's clash is a huge game for Leicester, it is also a big occasion for Tottenham. Ryan Mason's troops must win and hope West Ham United lose at home to Southampton to gain a spot in the UEFA Europa League.
Should Spurs miss out on sixth spot, they will be hoping to do enough to claim seventh and bag a spot in the Europa Conference League.
