Jamie Vardy has been given a breather from Leicester’s Europa League clash at Zorya Luhansk on Thursday as Ricardo Pereira prepares to make his long-awaited return.

With the Foxes’ place in the last 32 already secured, boss Brendan Rodgers decided to leave Vardy, Kasper Schmeichel, Jonny Evans and Youri Tielemans at home – but Pereira is expected to play his first senior match since damaging cruciate knee ligaments against Aston Villa in March, the final game before coronavirus halted the Premier League.

Wilfred Ndidi and Caglar Soyuncu are also expected to feature after recovering from injury and Rodgers said: ‘Ricardo is really excited about coming back and we’ll look to get him up to about 75 minutes against Zorya.

‘He has already played an Under-23 game and now he takes another step up. He is one of the best full-backs in Europe.

'First and foremost his defending is very good and then when he goes forward he is like a winger who can pass, dribble and score.

‘Caglar Soyuncu is one of the top centre-backs in the league and we’ve missed his power and speed.

'Wilfred is one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe. I’m excited to have them available again.

‘We’ve had to adapt our game in the early part of the season because of the injuries but having these players back will make us super-competitive.’