Leicester City will be without Jamie Vardy for ‘a few weeks’ as the striker undergoes hernia surgery in a blow to the Foxes’ title race aspirations.

Vardy had been visibly struggling towards the end of some games this season, despite managing 11 Premier League goals, and he will now have an operation to bring him back to full fitness.

“We’ve been managing him over the past few months,” said Brendan Rodgers, ahead of the team’s FA Cup fourth round tie at Brentford on Sunday. "It will help the area repair. He can’t hold it off for much longer, there's a lot of time in the season for him to make an impact."

Leicester have got themselves into an unlikely title race after a three-game winning streak to be third, only two points of leaders Manchester United and level with Manchester City, although Pep Guardiola’s side have a game in hand over those around them. 

An attacking unit built on the pace of Vardy and Harvey Barnes, as well as the guile of a flourishing James Maddison, has been the focal point for Leicester’s slick forward play, and Rodgers will now have to turn to alternatives. 

The manager added: “We’ve played without Jamie before and won. It’s not overly concerning. It’s our best chance of getting him back. Ayoze Perez is a natural striker. He doesn’t threaten the backline as quickly as Vardy, but he’s a great finisher. I‘ve got [Iheanacho] who can offer a threat too."

After the weekend’s trip to Brentford in the Cup, Leicester travel to Everton next Wednesday before games against Leeds, Fulham and Wolves in the space of eight days. Rodgers will hope to have Vardy back for home game against Liverpool on 13 February, and the Europa League knockout tie against Slavia Prague which follows.