Leicester City suffer blow as Evans limps off in warm-up ahead Newcastle clash

Leicester City have been dealt a blow to their season run-in as Jonny Evans limped off before the Foxes' clash with Newcastle on Friday night with a heel injury.

The Northern Irishman was named in Brendan Rodgers' starting eleven for the Premier League clash but limped out just minutes before kick-off after picking up a knock.

Evans, who was replaced in the team by Marc Albrighton which forced a formation change for Leicester, had been struggling with a heel problem in recent weeks but has played in the Foxes' last six league matches.

Rodgers and Leicester may now be without their experienced centre-half for the final few weeks of the season which sees them play four 'Big Six' sides, including Chelsea in the FA Cup final in eight days' time.

The Foxes also have an important few weeks in the league as they look to seal a spot in the Champions League for just the second time in their history.

Leicester went into Friday night's encounter with the Magpies five points ahead of fifth-placed West Ham with four games to go.

However, the Foxes' fixture list is daunting between now and the end of the season, with trips to Manchester United and Chelsea coming before the visit of Tottenham on the final day of the season.

Leicester's cup final with Chelsea is their first appearance at that stage of the competition in 52 years and Evans will be desperate to make that May 15 fixture.

The 33-year-old has never lifted the FA Cup in his career, despite winning three league titles and the 2008 Champions League with Manchester United.

Evans has been a regular fixture at the back for the Foxes, making 36 appearances in all competitions for Rodgers' side, scoring twice.