Brendan Rodgers makes Newcastle transfer prediction…

Brendan Rodgers makes Newcastle transfer prediction before answering James Maddison question

Brendan Rodgers admits Leicester City can't financially compete with the likes of Newcastle United but believes the Magpies will continue to spend 'wisely and sensibly' as they become a serious force in English football. Rodgers' Leicester were sent crashing out of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday as goals from Dan Burn and Joelinton saw Newcastle through to the final four.

Rodgers has been under pressure at the King Power Stadium after a rocky start to the season but has turned attention to his lack of spending power in recent windows compared to other Premier League sides. Namedropping Newcastle as one team with the capacity to outspend Leicester, Rodgers conceded that he believes Eddie Howe's men will continue to invest in a shrewd manner.

"I think I'm a decent coach, but I'm not a magician," he said after the 2-0 defeat. "If you look at our net spend since I've been here, it's about £10m, in three-and-half years. Compare that to our competitors, like Aston Villa, West Ham, Newcastle. It's over £250m. It's a big difference.

"If you look at Newcastle's net spend in the last year, along with the fantastic coaching of Eddie [Howe], plus the infrastructure from where they were to where they are now, they're looking to build and create something. They'll do it wisely and sensibly, but they have the resources to do that.

"So that's the modern game and there's no doubt they join that bracket. Look at some of the other teams - Aston Villa's net spend over the last few years, West Ham too. It's becoming a real challenge."

Rodgers was also quizzed over James Maddison and a potential return date for the Leicester midfielder. The England international missed both the Boxing Day showdown and Carabao Cup clash between the two sides as he recovers from a knee injury.

Newcastle saw multiple offers for the England international rejected over the summer as the Foxes stood firm over their valuation of the player. That interest in the player remains, although he may prove too costly for Newcastle to purchase in this particular window.

Asked on whether Maddison would soon be back with the Leicester group, Rodgers admits his focus hasn't been on the injured star: "Top quality player but my concentrate has been on the team today. I think he's working well back at the training facility but I'll find out tomorrow."

Brendan Rodgers makes Newcastle transfer prediction before answering James Maddison question

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