Walsall v Leicester City live match updates
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Leicester City's FA Cup tie at Walsall.
Brendan Rodgers takes his players across the Midlands on Saturday afternoon to the Poundland Bescot Stadium and into a first meeting with the Saddlers in 14 years, since the League One title-winning campaign. There is a spot in the last 16 of the FA Cup up for grabs.
With the Premier League campaign not going so well, the FA Cup could provide some relief for City. But they know these matches are far tougher than they are on paper, squeaking past Walsall's League Two rivals Gillingham in the previous round.
But there is good news for City ahead of the game, with Brazilian winger Tete flying in to undergo a medical. He could be the second signing of the month, with the first, Victor Kristiansen, set to get his debut on Saturday.
We are live at the Poundland Bescot Stadium to bring you action, analysis, and reaction. Kick-off is at 12.30pm, with team news expected at 11.30am.
12:26Jordan Blackwell
Kick-off is just around the corner.
12:03Jordan Blackwell
And they need to. It's a chilly one here.
11:44Jordan Blackwell
Vardy's absence is surprising and would suggest there is an injury or illness that the striker is dealing with. We'll get the latest on him after the game.
But Perez's absence suggests he may be on the move. There have been discussions over him returning to Spain, but City would not let him leave until he goes. With Tete flying in this morning, it may be that City are now ready to let Perez secure a move away. Real Betis and Villarreal are both interested.
11:39Jordan Blackwell
Here's the hosts' 11.
11:30KEY EVENT
Maddison makes his first start since November. Daka and Iversen also come in, with Kristiansen on the bench. Read more here.
City (4-3-3): Iversen, Castagne, Amartey, Faes, Thomas; Mendy, Tielemans, Dewsbury-Hall; Maddison, Daka, Barnes.
Subs: Smithies, Vestergaard, Soyuncu, Brunt, Kristiansen, Braybrooke, Praet, Albrighton, Iheanacho.
11:17Jordan Blackwell
They're on the pitch, having a look around. Team news is coming up shortly.
10:45Jordan Blackwell
While City have only won one match this month, Walsall are in fine form. In fact, they've lost just one of their last 13, winning nine.
To get to this stage, they've beaten Wycombe, Carlisle, and Stockport.
10:38Jordan Blackwell
We're arrived here at the Poundland Bescot Stadium and it's a chilly one. Albeit, the last time City were here, it was snowing. No sign of similar conditions yet.
09:03Jordan Blackwell
With no midweek game to consider, it's likely that Rodgers will go for a strong side this afternoon.
And it could mean that Maddison is handed his first start since early November after making an appearance off the bench against Brighton. He's had a good week of training and is ready to play 60-or-so minutes.
Kristiansen is also expected to feature at some point, although it may be as a substitute. He's not played a competitive match since November because of the World Cup and then the winter break in Denmark.
