Soccer-Leicester’s Mahrez returns to training, ending transfer deadlock

Feb 9 (Reuters) – Riyad Mahrez ended a 10-day standoff with Leicester City on Friday when he was pictured returning to the club’s training ground.

The Algerian was pictured arriving in a black people carrier at the club’s training ground on Friday morning, less than 24 hours after manager Claude Puel appealed to him to “get his head straight” and turn around.

Puel has indicated that Mahrez will not be available for Saturday’s game against Manchester City, but British media reported on Friday that Mahrez is now keen to play against the team that tried to sign him on transfer deadline day.

Mahrez has not trained or played with Leicester since transfer deadline day when Leicester rejected a bid from the Premier League leaders.

British media have reported that friends of the player say he has been “depressed” since the deal failed to go through.

It was unclear if he was allowed to leave. (Reporting by Neil Robinson; Editing by Jon Boyle)