Leicester are expected to be without star man Riyad Mahrez for this weekend’s clash with Manchester City, claims The Daily Mail.
Mahrez failed to force through a deadline day move to City and has not reported to training since then.
The Algeria international has missed Leicester’s last two matches and Claude Puel is unsure whether the 26-year-old will return before Saturday’s trip to the Etihad.
Leicester are in conversation with Mahrez’s agent in a bid to ease tensions, but there is a belief that Puel’s side have granted the winger an extended break to get over his failed move.
If there is any light at the end of the tunnel for Leicester it’s that they have been in a similar position with Mahrez before, albeit not midway through the season.
Mahrez handed in a transfer request at the end of last season but Leicester priced Roma out of a summer move leaving the Algerian’s future in limbo.
However, Mahrez has rediscovered the form he showed during Leicester’s title-winning campaign this season and Puel will hope City’s interest will not derail his momentum when he eventually returns.
In fact, Mahrez has already played a direct hand in six more league goals this season (15) than he did across the whole of last term (9).
