Socceroo Harry Souttar in shock Leicester move as two Premier League giants reveal Australia’s plans

Socceroos cult hero Harry Souttar faces a shock change of position for Leicester City – as two other EPL clubs announce they are traveling Down Under for exhibition games in July.

The in-form Souttar becomes an unlikely clout for the Foxes as they attempt to avoid relegation from the EPL.

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers revealed he has been experimenting with the big Socceroos’ centre-back as a striker in training, giving the struggling Foxes an alternative strategy in their urgent search for goals.

Souttar has yet to find the top scorer list since moving from Stoke to the top flight in January – apart from an unfortunate own goal on his debut against Aston Villa – but his air qualities have ensured he’s come very close on several occasions .

Rodgers wants him to score like he does for the Socceroos, having scored six goals in 14 Australia caps, and believes Souttar has the footballing abilities to transform from a no-nonsense stopper into an experienced attacker.

Socceroos cult hero Harry Souttar could be in line for a position change at his EPL club Leicester

Souttar stretches to have a tackle on March 18 against Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo, a match in which manager Brendan Rodgers praised him for a starring role

“We could play him up front. We had him there in training,” said Rodgers, who is trying to move Leicester from their precarious position of 17th, just a point above the relegation zone.

“He’s a fantastic footballer, outstanding on the ball. He makes the right passes.’

Rodgers is delighted with his $26m centre-back, who put in another superb performance in the 1-1 draw with Brentford before flying to Australia for the Socceroos friendlies against Ecuador.

“He’s primarily a defender but he can play football,” he said of the 198cm Australian.

“When you come to Brentford and play like him, that was a great achievement.

“Any centre-back has to be strong and competitive and then I want him to be able to play simple football and he has done that. He was a great signing for us.’

Breakthrough for Leicester may not be far off for the 24-year-old, who was born and raised in Scotland before joining Australia thanks to his mother.

The 198cm tall Souttar heads a ball during a Sterling show for Leicester in their 1-1 draw with Brentford on March 18

Souttar heads the ball in defense in the Socceroos’ incredible win over Denmark at last year’s World Cup

Souttar headed against the crossbar in Southampton – when it looked easier to score.

He also had one cleared off the line against Chelsea and assisted in a goal against Spurs.

Then on Saturday, he enjoyed what Rodgers described as a “little Ricky Villa moment.”

Just like Spurs’ Argentinian Villa, who went on a confounding run before scoring one of the most famous of all FA Cup final goals in 1981, Souttar had his own slalom moment but without the requisite closure.

Souttar himself believes he should be on the scoreboard more, having scored twice in both his first and second games for the Socceroos.

The news comes as Tottenham and West Ham announced just before the start of the Women’s World Cup in July that they would be coming to Perth to play exhibition games at Perth’s Optus Stadium.

West Ham are set to take on A-League club Perth Glory on Saturday July 15 before the Hammers take on bitter London rivals Spurs on Tuesday July 18.

It’s the only chance for Australian fans to see EPL sides in action over the winter, but the prospect of seeing superstars like Harry Kane, Richarlison and Son Heung-min for Spurs and Declan Rice for the Hammers is a drooling prospect.

Western Australia’s Sport and Recreation Minister said the two exhibition games and five games at the Women’s World Cup were not only a major financial coup but also huge for the state of the game in the west.

“Hosting such prestigious football events is great for grassroots sport – children are inspired and encouraged to try the game for themselves,” he told the WA.

“I am delighted that Western Australia is supporting these games in addition to the FIFA Women’s World Cup and look forward to seeing them play in front of thousands of fans.”