Frenchman Fofana suffered a fractured fibula in a pre-season friendly against Europa League winners Villarreal earlier this week. He received treatment on the pitch before being carried off on a stretcher following a clash with Fernando Nino.

“Fofana has his operation on Monday and he won’t play until 2022,” Rodgers said after Saturday’s Community Shield win over Manchester City. “At what point that will be, we’ll have to assess that in the next six months or so.

“In and around his medial ligament, there was a lot more damage there than we had hoped. The scan showed up it was quite substantial damage there.

“He’ll have his operation, and then he’ll be back in the training ground on Thursday, Friday next week and begin his rehab then.”

Leicester signed Fofana on a five-year deal from St Etienne last October for a reported fee of some £30 million (US$41.61 million) and the club went on to finish fifth in the Premier League as he was named their young player of the season.

The Foxes, who defeated City 1-0 on Saturday, will be seeking a centre back following Fofana’s injury, with Jonny Evans out with a foot injury.

They open their 2021-22 season at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Aug 14.