LEICESTER boss Brendan Rodgers has hailed Saints’ remarkable form since the clubs’ last meeting - and confirmed he sent Ralph Hasenhuttl a text of support after the 9-0 mauling at St Mary’s in October.

That result came in the middle of a run in which Southampton suffered six defeats and two draws in eight league matches, with many believing Hasenhuttl was destined for the axe.

Yet the Saints board kept faith with the Austrian and he has propelled the club out of the bottom three on the back of a recent run which has seen them claim 16 points from the last eight games.

Rodgers, who texted Hasenhuttl after overseeing the English top-flight's record away win, said: “When a scoreline like that comes your way, then it can have a really negative effect.

“He’s done brilliantly for the team. I’m sure back then it would’ve been people saying this and that, but he showed a fantastic resilience at that point.”

Far from another thumping win over Southampton, Rodgers added: “If anyone’s thinking that because we won 9-0 away, we’ll win 10-0 at home, it doesn’t work like that.

“I would take a 1-0 and a clean sheet, having played well.”

Meanwhile, Rodgers has confirmed that midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has undergone a successful knee operation and is likely to return at some stage in February.

Rodgers said: “It went very well. It was a good operation. He’s now back and straight into his recovery.”

Daniel Amartey will undergo ankle surgery next week while fellow defender Wes Morgan (groin) is expected to return to training next week.