LEICESTER CITY manager Brendan Rodgers says it was great having Nigeria international Wilfred Ndidi back for Sunday’s (today) English Premier League fixture against Leeds United.

Ndidi, who has been out of action for 40 days, last featured for the Foxes in the 2-2 draw against Burnley at King Power Stadium on September 25 where he picked up a hamstring injury and could make his return in week 11 of the EPL fixture at Elland Road.

The 24-year-old defensive midfielder has been a key member of the Leicester side.

The Super Eagles player returned to training last week but was an unused substitute in the 2-0 Premier League defeat to Arsenal. He, however, returned to action on Thursday during Leicester’s Europa League 1-1 draw at home against Spartak Moscow as he was introduced with 35 minutes remaining.

The former Genk player could make his first start in the league after 40 days and Rodgers while expressing his delight said Ndidi was an important player to the team.

“He’s very, very important for us, from a defensive perspective,” the manager told the club’s official website.

“He covers a lot of space. In those defensive moments, you need that player to get back in. He’s a very, very important player for us and it’s great to have him back

“Hopefully the players who were out [on Thursday] should be back and available, Harvey (Barnes) and James Maddison. Obviously, Wilf Ndidi got some game time, which is great.

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“Ricardo (Pereira) should be fine also, so we should get a few players back for the weekend.”

Ndidi’s return comes as good news for Nigeria as they prepare for crucial World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde.

Gernot Rohr’s side will face Liberia on November 13 at Stade Ibn Batouta before the final game of the group against Cape Verde on November 16 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

The Eagles top Group C with nine points from four matches with two matches remaining against Liberia and Cape Verde.