Riyad Mahrez: Leicester forward misses training for fourth day

Riyad Mahrez was not in the squad for Leicester's defeat by Everton

Leicester City forward Riyad Mahrez has missed training for a fourth day running, after a potential deadline-day move to Manchester City fell through.

It is not clear whether the Algerian had permission to be absent.

City pulled out of talks for the 26-year-old on Wednesday after he made a transfer request the day before.

Foxes manager Claude Puel has confirmed Mahrez will not be considered for Saturday's match against Swansea, after missing the defeat at Everton.

"I hope Riyad can clear his head and come back with us as he is a valuable player for us and crucial in our play," Puel said on Friday.

City thought Leicester were asking for an overall package of £95m, which is said to have included striker Patrick Roberts, who is on loan at Celtic.

However, the Foxes would have accepted a straight £80m transfer for Mahrez, who has scored 35 goals and contributed 24 assists in 127 top-flight appearances - but that is still £20m higher than City's limit for the player.

He joined Leicester in January 2014 and was named the PFA Players' Player of the Year as the Foxes won the Premier League in 2016.

"After some time, he will come back with us," Puel said. "He is our friend and I think all the staff and all the players will help him to come back with a good mentality and a positive attitude and to enjoy his football with his team-mates.

"Riyad is a good player but he is a good man also. I respect him. It's important to manage this with calm inside the club.

"All the staff, especially all the squad, they are his friends. Of course, no problem when he will come back with us, with a good feeling for all the people."

Analysis

BBC Radio Leicester's Ian Stringer

A resolution needs to be found and quickly as the bank of love on the streets of Leicester will quickly empty unless one of their greatest players returns to his best.

The rights or wrongs are gone. Mahrez needs to lace his boots back up and try to push the Foxes towards a seventh-place finish and an FA Cup run.

The game following this weekend, you ask? Manchester City, away.