Brendan Rodgers gives James Maddison injury update after Leicester star limps off just eight days before World Cup

Maddison was replaced after just 25 minutes (Picture: Getty)

Brendan Rodgers has eased injury concerns over James Maddison, confirming the Leicester City star was subbed off early against West Ham United as a precaution.

Maddison scored a superb opener at the London Stadium but was forced off after just 25 minutes, replaced by Dennis Praet.

The attacking midfielder was seen clutching his hamstring and went straight down the tunnel for treatment but re-emerged to sit on the Leicester bench for the second-half as the Foxes sealed a comfortable 2-0 win.

Maddison was named in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad on Thursday but the sight of the Leicester star forced off will have come as a huge concern for Southgate with England’s group opener against Iran now just nine days away.

But Rodgers has confirmed Maddison was replaced as a precautionary measure, insisting Maddison is ‘okay’.

‘He’s fine. It was just precautionary, a little soreness on the side of the knee,’ Rodgers said after Leciester’s win in the capital.

‘He hasn’t trained a lot this week. He’s okay.’

Maddison was back out for the second-half (Picture: Getty)

Maddison has not played for his country since winning his only cap against Montenegro in 2019, believed to have been out of favour after visiting a casino after withdrawing from the England squad through illness later that year.

Southgate insisted however this week Maddison has earned his place in the squad.

He is a bit of a football student. I think there are some misconceptions about him,’ said Southgate.

‘I’ve always said it was football reasons for not selecting him and in the main the capabilities of others in the group and that’s the case. I’ve got no concerns about how he will be with the group.

‘He knows most of the lads, he has been in the junior teams with a lot of them so that isn’t a concern at all.’

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Maddison was named in the England squad this week.