The Independent

Morgan and Slimani ruled out for Arsenal

- SPORTS STAFF

Wes Morgan and Islam Slimani have both been ruled out for Leicester's trip to Arsenal through injury.

The defender limped off with a hamstring injury in last week's 1-1 Champions League quarter-final draw with Atletico Madrid, which saw the Foxes exit the competitio­n 2-1 on aggregate, while the Algerian forward is suffering from a groin strain.

Leicester boss Craig Shakespear­e said he had hoped Morgan’s injury was cramp but he will now be without the centre-back for Wednesday's clash at the Emirates Stadium.

He said: "Unfortunat­ely Wes won't make it. He has just overstretc­hed his hamstring. It hasn't gone into a

full blown pull but we have to be mindful. So as a precaution he is out then we will look towards Saturday."

Midfielder Nampalys Mendy is also now sidelined for the rest of the campaign after having an operation to finally resolve his long-term ankle problem.

Mendy, a £13m signing from Nice last summer, has made just nine appearance­s this season after initially injuring his ankle in the 0-0 home draw with Arsenal in August. He has not played since February.

"Unfortunat­ely Papy Mendy had to have an ankle operation," Shakespear­e added.

"So he had that in France, and he will be back with us doing his rehab. He had a floating bone in there that needed looking after. He's out now until the end of the season."

Leicester are now six points clear of the Premier League’s bottom three with six games remaining and Shakespear­e has urged his men to be cautious.

"I'm not sure how many points it will take (to avoid relegation) and the weekend proved that. Teams are capable of winning games and putting points on the board," said Shakespear­e.

"We have to make sure we look after our own club. You are not sure what's round the corner."

But Shakespear­e dismissed any suggestion­s Arsenal, seventh in the table, are in crisis after their 2-1 FA Cup semi-final win against Manchester City on Sunday.

He added: "Seeing the Arsenal match it didn't look like turmoil to me, there were players fighting and they thoroughly deserved the win in the end, even though it was a close game."

 ?? (Getty) ?? Wes Morgan was substitute­d off in Leicester's 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid last week
(Getty) Wes Morgan was substitute­d off in Leicester's 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid last week

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