Puel: Fans, Staff, Club & Players Are United
- Leicester City manager Claude Puel speaks to the media ahead of Saturday's match against Burnley
- The Foxes squad were in Thailand this week for the funeral of the Club's late Chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha
- Puel says Leicester's togetherness is a source of strength for everyone at the Football Club
- Harry Maguire and James Maddison (knee) are set to miss the match at King Power Stadium
As the first home fixture since our Chairman, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, and four other people tragically lost their lives, Saturday's game is likely to be an emotional occasion for many.
The Club’s players returned from Khun Vichai’s funeral in Bangkok earlier this week and have been in training at Belvoir Drive in preparation for Burnley's visit (3pm GMT kick-off).
Following last weekend’s special 1-0 victory at Cardiff City, which led to incredible scenes at full-time, Puel has been enthused by the togetherness of his squad in such difficult circumstances.
As well as expressing gratitude to the football community as a whole for their incredible support, the City manager also discussed the Club's plans to pay tribute to Khun Vichai on Saturday.
Squad And Fans Celebrate Special Win
Leicester City's players, staff and fans celebrate their 1-0 victory over Cardiff City on Saturday.
Fans will receive commemorative scarves, pin badges, clap banners and souvenir matchday programmes, while thousands of supporters are planning a march from Jubilee Square to King Power Stadium.
“The support from the football community, all the clubs, was fantastic,” Puel said on Thursday afternoon. “I would like to say thank you to them for all of their support.
“We know our fans, they are fantastic... there were 3,000 of them at our last game in Cardiff, it was a fantastic reunion with the fans.
“After the game, there was a lot of emotion that we shared with them and we can imagine what it will be like at home with 30,000 people in the stadium.
“Also, they are planning a tribute walk with almost 20,000 people, it’s fantastic. Fans, staff, club, players… we are united.
“It’s a family and it’s important for us to honour our Chairman and pay our tribute in this game.”
While Puel admits this week has presented challenges, the Frenchman says City’s spirit – so evident during their success in Cardiff – is just one reason to be optimistic ahead of Saturday's game.
“It’s not easy to prepare this game, but the togetherness between us all, it’s a good feeling, a good energy, a fantastic strength,” he added.
“Our strength, spirit and positive attitude, as well as the support of our fans, will be very important.
Goals: Cardiff City 0 Leicester City 1
Watch Demarai Gray's goal that sealed all three points in an emotional afternoon at the Cardiff City Stadium.
“In the last game, we found the right balance between emotion and concentration, and focus on our game.”
Finally, Puel also provided a fitness update on English duo Harry Maguire (knee) and James Maddison (knee), both of whom are set to miss the Burnley fixture.
“Harry will not be available for this game and for his national team,” the City manager said.
“It will be the same also for Maddison, he’s not available for this game. All of the other players in the squad, except [Daniel] Amartey and Matty James, will be available.
“Maguire is a Cardiff injury and it could be a few weeks. We will talk about his comeback after the international break when we have all the information about him.
“[Maddison] felt something the day after the Cardiff game. It’s not too serious, but he will not play this game.”