<p>LEICESTER, England — Leicester defender James Justin will miss the rest of the season because of a knee injury that requires surgery, manager Brendan Rodgers said Friday.</p>
<p>The 22-year-old Justin, who has played in 31 games in all competitions this season, damaged his anterior cruciate ligament in the 1-0 victory over Brighton in the FA Cup on Wednesday.</p>
<p>“It’s a massive blow for us,” Rodgers said.</p>
<p>Third-place Leicester hosts Liverpool on Saturday with the defending champions three points behind their hosts.</p>
<p>Justin had been walking around after Wednesday’s game, giving hope that the injury wasn’t serious, but scans revealed the damage.</p>
<p>“He’s been so robust,” Rodgers said. “He’s the one player that’s virtually played nearly every game since he’s come in, in a variety of positions, and performed at a very, very high level.”</p>
<p>Justin had started all 23 Premier League games this season, scoring twice and adding two assists. He scored in a 2-0 victory over Fulham on Feb. 6 after making a long run down the left side, collecting a pass from James Maddison and calming finishing on his second touch.</p>
<p>Rodgers said Justin had likely been earning consideration for an England roster spot.</p>
<p>The club said Justin would be sidelined for “a lengthy spell.” ACL surgeries are typically followed by six-to-12 months of rehabilitation.</p>
<p>Leicester trails Manchester City by seven points, though the leaders have a game in hand. Manchester United is in second place, two points better than the Foxes.</p>
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