Riyad Mahrez misses Leicester training again and won’t play against Manchester City

Riyad Mahrez has missed another day of training with Leicester City and will play no part in their match against Manchester City on Saturday, according to reports.

The Algerian was a deadline-day target for City after Leroy Sane picked up an injury, though they refused to bow to Leicester’s £80m valuation, while they also wanted a player included in the deal.

Mahrez had his heart set on a move to the Etihad and even handed in a transfer request, and is so depressed that the move fell through that he has failed to report to training.

And now the Daily Mail claim he will remain away from training for the rest of the week and is set to miss a third straight match, ironically against the team he nearly joined.

Manager Claude Puel is already preparing his team without Mahrez in it, and he will play no part in the game even if he has a change of heart and returns to training sooner than expected.

More: Football

In total, Mahrez has missed four training sessions and two matches, with Leicester failing to win either of those games against Swansea City and Everton.

It has been suggested that Leicester are so concerned about Mahrez’s fragility after the failed transfer that they have authorised the time off and will try to integrate him slowly back into the team.

Mahrez has nearly left Leicester on several occasions, though each time the Foxes have blocked a move, and feels as though this is the final straw.

The Algerian had been in exceptional form for Leicester this season, scoring eight goals and laying on a further seven assists in 24 Premier League appearances, though would have only acted as cover and competition for the injured Sane at Man City.

More: Premier League

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