Kelechi Iheanacho forced to fly back to UK after being refused entry into Poland for Leicester’s clash with Legia Warsaw
KELECHI IHEANACHO has been forced to fly back to England after being refused entry to Poland for Leicester's clash with Legia Warsaw.
Border guards spotted an error in the Nigeria striker's documentation when the Foxes' chartered flight arrived at Warsaw's Chopin Airport on Wednesday afternoon.
Shocked Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers admits losing Iheanacho is a big blow, especially as midfielder Wilfred Ndidi is out suspended and defender Jonny Evans is too unwell to play.
Airport officials noticed a difference between Iheanacho's official documentation and the visa he needed, as a Nigerian, to enter an EU country.
While the rest of his team-mates were allowed through, Iheanacho had to stay behind at the airport with a Foxes' official as the club tried to get him back to England.
Rodgers said: “We’ve had an issue with Kelechi so his documentation coming into the country wouldn’t suffice.
“Unfortunately he’s not available to play, which is a shame because he would have played in the game.
“The paperwork didn’t allow him to enter the country, which is unfortunate. We’ll have to look at that when we get back.”
Leicester dropped two points following their 2-2 draw with fellow Europa League favourites Napoli in their opening Group C game - now they must face group leaders Legia without several key players.
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However, England winger Harvey Barnes is in form and admits he is looking to use the tie in front of a hostile Polish crowd as a springboard back into Gareth Southgate's Three Lions squad.
Next week marks the one year anniversary of Barnes making his international debut in a 3-0 win against Wales.
However a knee injury which required surgery kept the winger out of the Euros - and he also missed Leicester's historic FA Cup final win over Chelsea.
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Barnes, who could overtake Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy as Leicester's highest ever scorer in Europe on five goals if he nets, said “Last year I had a little taste of it with England and it was amazing to be a part of it.
"Of course it was disappointing to watch the Euros as a fan because of the injury and the most frustrating part was not knowing whether I’d have got the opportunity to make the squad.
"It's up to me to get that form back."
Leicester (4-2-3-1): Schmeichel; Pereira, Soyuncu, Vestergaard, Thomas; Soumare, Tielemans; Perez, Maddison, Barnes; Daka.
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