Vardy & Chilwell To Be Assessed For Chelsea Clash
- Claude Puel has provided an update on the fitness of five Leicester City players
- English duo Jamie Vardy and Ben Chilwell could return to first team action against Chelsea on Saturday
- Midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, however, is a doubt for the Premier League visit to Stamford Bridge
- Daniel Amartey and Matty James are also making good progress, says Puel
Vardy (groin) and Chilwell (knee) missed City’s penalty shootout defeat by holders Manchester City at King Power Stadium in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening.
However, Foxes manager Claude Puel revealed in his pre-match press conference on Thursday that both are being considered ahead of Saturday’s clash with Maurizio Sarri’s men.
“I hope [Vardy] can be fit for this match and can find his qualities,” Puel said, sat in the company of the national media in King Power Stadium's media suite.
“With his quality and his aggressiveness, he is a very good player for us. We need Jamie – with his ability, capacity and character – to give his best.
“Of course, it has been difficult for him with injuries and suspensions this season, but he is a valuable player for us and we need Jamie to be at his best for us.”
On Chilwell, who also missed last weekend’s trip to Crystal Palace, the Frenchman added: “We will see tomorrow (Friday), but I think he can participate.
“He came back yesterday in training with the group. He has had a good feeling without any problems and I hope when we see tomorrow, he will be fit for the game.”
Wilfred Ndidi, though, is a doubt for City’s trip to the capital after sustaining a knock to his knee in Tuesday’s quarter-final tie against Pep Guardiola’s men.
Puel said: “We will see tomorrow if he can play or not. It’s about his knee, he received a fall against him. He finished the game, but with pain, so we’ll see if he can participate.”
Daniel Amartey (ankle) and Matty James (Achilles), meanwhile, continue to be monitored at the Club’s training ground and are making good progress, Puel says.
“Matty played with the Under-23s with a win against Chelsea [on Monday] and he played a full game without problems so it’s encouraging," added the manager.
“Now we need to continue this way to find again more intensity, more possibility, until he is ready to return with us.
“[Amartey] is improving and also now he can walk and I think step-by-step he could run and we’ll see when he can come back in the squad.”