Puel's Fitness Update: Schmeichel, Okazaki & Amartey

First Team
17 Apr 2018
2 Minutes
Claude Puel has discussed the fitness of Kasper Schmeichel, Shinji Okazaki and Daniel Amartey ahead of Southampton's visit to King Power Stadium on Thursday (7:45pm kick-off).

- Leicester City manager Claude Puel has provided his weekly fitness update
- The Foxes entertain Southampton at King Power Stadium on Thursday (7:45pm kick-off)
- Kasper Schmeichel and Shinji Okazaki will be assessed by the Club's medical team this week
- Puel also confirms that Daniel Amartey has returned to training at Belvoir Drive

Speaking to the media on Tuesday afternoon, Puel said it is not yet clear if goalkeeper Schmeichel and forward Okazaki will be part of Leicester City's 18-man matchday squad.

Okazaki was withdrawn at half-time at Burnley on Saturday while Schmeichel was forced to leave the field with just four minutes to play following a heavy collision with Ashley Barnes.

“It was a fall and a knock [for Schmeichel],” Puel said. “The problem is in his ankle and we will see if he can play in this game. Okazaki, also, we will see if can come back with his ankle too.

“We will see tomorrow. For the moment, [Schmeichel] cannot train with us. We need to adapt to the situation, of course, like we have done already.

“We have had some problems at the end of this season with injuries like Matty James (Achilles) and Vicente Iborra (hamstring) and we need to adapt to give confidence to the other players.”

On who may deputise for Schmeichel, Puel added: “We will see for the moment. Firstly, we will see if Kasper can play and after it will be a choice between Ben Hamer and Eldin Jakupović.

“I don’t want to give details about everyone but just say they are two goalkeepers with good attributes, different attributes, and, if they play, it will be a good opportunity."

Amartey came back today in the training sessions, but it is not enough time to be available.

Claude Puel

Puel also revealed that Daniel Amartey (hamstring) has returned to training at Belvoir Drive this week, but the Frenchman says it is unlikely that the Ghana international will feature on Thursday.

“Amartey came back today in the training sessions, but it is not enough time to be available,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Foxes will have midfielder Wilfred Ndidi available for selection again after the completion of the Nigerian's two-match suspension.