Rodgers hopes Iheanacho’s strike is an omen

THE last time Kelechi Iheanacho hit a hot streak in front of goal, Leicester won the FA Cup and nearly qualified for the Champions League.

Two years later, Brendan Rodgers is hoping the Nigeria forward can repeat the trick by helping his side reach Wembley and stay in the Premier League.

Iheanacho has 17 goals in his last 23 matches in the FA Cup, with the latest enough to sink League Two club Walsall and put the Foxes in the fifth round. ‘Last time he did this, we won the FA Cup, so hopefully it’s an omen,’ said Rodgers.

Two seasons ago, Iheanacho scored 16 times in 20 matches in all competitions from February onwards and Leicester need him to have a similar run. Jamie Vardy is likely to be absent for a few weeks, according to Rodgers, after picking up a thigh injury in training, while Patson Daka is badly out of form.

Rodgers’ men are also only one point above the relegation zone and in February they meet Aston Villa, Tottenham, Manchester United and Arsenal.

Yet if Iheanacho comes alive, anything is possible. Rodgers said, ‘He is first class. He trains nearly every day and is rarely injured. When he starts games, sometimes he’s not so good, sometimes he’s fantastic.’

Rodgers picked a strong team here, with James Maddison making his first start since recovering from a knee injury.

But when Leicester did create chances, Daka failed to take them. The home side were hugely competitive but lacked calmness.

Rodgers’ men had the perfect opportunity to take the lead early in the second half when Daka was tripped by Isaac Hutchinson, only

for Youri Tielemans to strike his penalty against the base of the post.

Yet Iheanacho replaced Daka soon after the hour mark and he quickly settled it when he collected Timothy Castagne’s pass on the edge of the box and aimed for goal, the deflection off Brandon Comley gave Owen Evans no chance.

‘You’d rather they had scored the penalty, or cut us open, or scored from 30 yards,’ said Walsall boss Michael Flynn. ‘You’d rather any of those than a deflected effort.’