Leicester City’s Claude Puel has no regrets about losing Mahrez, Vardy in Manchester City’s loss

Despite losing to Manchester City in the League Cup quarter-finals, Leicester City’s Claude Puel insists he has no regrets about starting Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy from the bench.

In an encounter that saw Vardy’s late penalty (second-half substitute for Kelechi Iheanacho) go to extra-time, the England striker and Mahrez cleared their lines during the shoot-out to ensure Pep Guardiola’s men have progressed to the last four of the competition.

And when asked why the star duo did not start the game, Puel said: “I have no regrets. We have to protect the players.

“It’s important to keep players injury-free, but we have to try to win every game. It is not possible to play every player for every game.”

While striker Vardy has been a constant fixture in the English Premier League for the King Power Stadium outfit, the Algerian winger has started all but one of the Foxes’ top-flight fixtures and scored five goals.

The duo will most likely be the first names on the team sheet when Manchester United visit in their next meeting on Saturday.