PUEL: AXED MAHREZ MUST CLEAR HIS HEAD

RIYAD MAHREZ will miss Leicester’s Premier League game against Swansea today to ‘clear his head’ but manager Claude Puel insists he will eventually be welcomed back by his team-mates. Puel refused to say whether the Algerian (below) will figure next Saturday against Manchester City, the club who tried to sign him on deadline day, and would not confirm his punishment for going AWOL. ‘Riyad will not be available for the game against Swansea,’ said the manager. ‘I think the club took this decision in the best interests of Leicester. ‘We will reassess when he has cleared his head. It’s a tough situation for us and we need to manage it, but it is important to move on and keep our focus on the game. ‘I hope he can come back happy and he can find the smile with his team-mates.’ Asked how supporters should respond to Mahrez’s actions, Puel said: ‘He is a crucial player for us who gave his best for Leicester — for the fans and the team. ‘In the beginning we need to understand and then help him come back quickly. ‘Riyad is a good player but he is a good man also. I respect him.’