Wantaway Riyad Mahrez to return to Leicester training this morning and could face Manchester City

RIYAD MAHREZ is set to return to Leicester City's training ground this morning and could face the club that almost bought him.

The Algerian has gone on strike since his move to Manchester City fell through before the end of the January transfer window 10 days ago.

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And he has been away from Claude Puel's squad since, while the Frenchman has not been considering him for any games.

According to , Mahrez will return to Belvoir Drive today and "has made himself available" to face the Premier League leaders in Saturday's late kick-off at the ground he almost moved to.

It remains to be seen whether Foxes manager Puel will take the bait and play the tricky winger, who was in exceptional form before the transfer debacle at the end of last month.

SunSport broke the exclusive story back in January that City had made a bid for the former PFA Player of the Year.

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Manchester City held talks over a £60m bid for the 26-year-old, but were put off by Leicester's £90m-plus valuation of the former Le Havre man.

Puel now faces the awkward task of attempting to re-integrate Mahrez into the squad ahead of their City clash, a move that could potentially de-stabilize the players ahead of such a big game.

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Puel said yesterday: "I think I hope Riyad can get his head right and to come back with us and back to hard work.

“For him the best way is to come back and enjoy his football.

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Timeline of Mahrez's transfer woes

• SunSport breaks the exclusive that Manchester City have held talks over a £60m move for Mahrez the day before transfer deadline day.
• Mahrez hands in a transfer request to try and force through the move.
• But Leicester value the player at over £90m - over £30m more than Manchester City's bid.
• Manchester City pull out of swoop for Mahrez over cost on deadline day.
• Algerian fails to report to Leicester training on February 1 after move falls through.
• After over a week away manager Claude Puel says: "he must get his head right."
• After 10 days away Mahrez is set to return to Leicester's training ground... and could face Man City.

“Riyad is a magnificent player and he loves football.

“He loves his relationships with his team-mates.

“He enjoys his football and I think he needs to come back and play and touch the ball. He loves his football. He needs to get his head right.”