- Craig Shakespeare says Wes Morgan and Papy Mendy will miss Leicester City’s Premier League clash with Everton
- Morgan (back) and Mendy (ankle) are also doubts for City’s UEFA Champions League trip to Atlético Madrid
- Shakespeare has been delighted with Morgan’s important role off the pitch
Leicester City will be without both Wes Morgan and Papy Mendy for Sunday’s Premier League encounter with Everton at Goodison Park, says Craig Shakespeare.
The Foxes boss confirmed on Friday that the City duo will not be available and are also likely to miss Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League tie at Atlético Madrid.
While Morgan is recovering from a minor back problem, Mendy will see another specialist for an ankle problem that has kept him out since February.
Shakespeare said: “We still haven’t got Wes Morgan and Papy Mendy - they’re out. How long they’ll be, I can’t put a time frame on it.
“Wes has actually been out on the grass and put his boots on but Papy hasn’t. He’s due to see another specialist next week.
“It would be a lot to ask him (Morgan) to come back for a game of that magnitude. I’d want him to do a few days training first and at the moment that looks highly unlikely.
“I’ve said before that since I’ve been here, Wes rarely misses a day of training. He’s there for selection all the time so it’s a big loss but it opens the door for other people. Yohan [Benalouane] has come in and looked very assured.”
Despite being sidelined due to injury, Morgan has continued to play an influential role in the dressing room, revealed Shakespeare.
“He’s still in and around the lads and what I like is that he’s playing a captain’s part off the pitch,” added the City boss.
“He’s involved in the dressing room before the game and at half-time. I’ve encouraged him to be in and around it and he’s played his part that way.”