Mendy hoping AFCON returnees can give Foxes boost

Papy Mendy hopes the return of his AFCON colleagues can give Leicester City the boost they need to bounce back from a disappointing FA Cup draw with Midlands rivals Derby County.

The Foxes have not won a Premier League game in 2017, a run that has coincided with the absence of Islam Slimani and Riyad Mahrez, who have both been away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.

But with Algeria now out of the competition, the forwards are back at the King Power and Papys hopes they can help fire the Foxes back up the table.

The reigning champions have sunk to 15th, five points above the relegation zone, with a crunch tie at Burnley looming on Tuesday.

Mahrez played in Friday’s draw with Derby, while Slimani is recovering from a slight groin injury, but Mendy hopes to see him on the pitch in Lancashire.

“It’s important for the team because we know Islam [Slimani] and Riyad [Mahrez] are very important players for us,” said the 24-year-old.

“They are very decisive and it’s important for the mentality of all the players that they have come back from the Africa Cup.”

Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

One man still missing from Claudio Ranieri’s squad is Daniel Amartey, though, after the Ghanaian helping his country to a semi-final spot on Sunday with a win over DR Congo.

Mendy added: “I’m very happy for him because he is a good guy and a good player.

“It’s important for him because it’s his national team and everyone knows that the Africa Cup of Nations is very important to win.”