Brendan Rodgers praises Kelechi Iheanacho's 'intensity and understanding' after scoring FA Cup winner

Brendan Rodgers has hailed Kelechi Iheanacho’s “intensity and understanding” as the young Leicester City forward prepares to lead the line in Tuesday’s League Cup semi-final.

Leicester are hopeful that Jamie Vardy could still recover in time to face Aston Villa this week but Iheanacho made a claim for a starting place by scoring the winning goal in Saturday’s FA Cup victory over Brentford.

The 23-year-old has now struck seven times in 12 games this season, having struggled for goals and confidence for so much of his Leicester career since joining from Manchester City for £25 million in 2017.

Iheanacho scored just twice last season and Rodgers has said the striker has needed to rebuild his confidence in recent months.

“He has worked really hard in training, he knows he has the confidence of the coaching staff and everyone the club,” said Rodgers. “I also think it’s natural, it takes time. He made a big move and he hadn’t actually played a lot of football.

“He’s a young player that needed games and confidence and it all stems from training. He has trained ever so hard. He works very hard and now he is becoming really efficient, creating goals and scoring goals. He works with intensity and understanding."

Iheanacho’s form in front of goal will help to soften the blow if Vardy is unable to make Tuesday’s trip to Villa Park, although there can be no denying it will be a major loss for Leicester. Vardy has scored more than a third of Leicester’s goals in the Premier League this season and is the division’s top scorer with 17 strikes.

“It’s brilliant for him because I know it was a difficult period for him when he came. He is very much an important player for us. He wants to score goals - he’s got pace, he’s got power. In the modern game he is a great asset for us."

Meanwhile, Brentford head coach Thomas Frank has said it would be “magical” if his side were to achieve promotion in their final season before leaving Griffin Park for their new stadium. Frank’s team are impressing in the Championship, where they are five points off the automatic promotion places.

“It’s like a nice fairytale, if we can make it magical,” said Frank. “That would be fantastic but I think the club would be happy if we went up last year or this year or the year after. Of course it fits perfectly in the story and we all like those magical moments.”