Riyad Mahrez holds clear-the-air talks with Leicester team-mates after going AWOL following failed Manchester City move
Foxes winger returned to training last Friday after ten-day absence and played last 28 minutes of defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad
RIYAD MAHREZ held clear-the-air-talks with the Leicester City squad ahead of Saturday's defeat to Manchester City, Danny Simpson has revealed.
The Algerian winger returned to training last Friday after going AWOL due to his City switch collapsing on Deadline Day.
The 26-year-old missed two games but was back on the bench for Saturday’s 5-1 defeat at the Etihad.
But Simpson revealed Mahrez spoke to his team-mates before the trip to the Premier League leaders and all parties have now moved on from the episode that cast a huge shadow over the King Power stadium last week.
Simpson told the: “It has been all right.
“He came in and spoke to the lads on our own in the dressing room and that is that.
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“We put it to bed and move on.
“Today (Saturday), in flashes he showed why he is a good player, he is back in the team and we are delighted.
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“He came back in and everyone understands it was tough for everyone, but he is back in and what he said in the dressing room was just between us.
“He is a top player so why wouldn’t we want a top player in our team?
“As I said, he showed today what he can do, and he has been great.”
After going behind early to Raheem Sterling’s 20th goal of the season, Jamie Vardy hit back for the Foxes before Sergio Aguero hit four second-half goals to take his tally to 28 for the campaign.
Simpson added: “City are a fantastic team and not many teams will come here and get anything so we move on.
“We have an important FA Cup game next week and we will push on and do as well in the league as we can.
"I think the timing of their first two goals, especially the second just after half-time, after we had got ourselves back into it, it just kills you, especially away from home.
“But at the same time I think we could have stopped a couple of the goals because they were our fault.
“Especially in the second half, if you come out 1-1 for the first ten minutes, at least let the game settle, and then feel your way into it again, that second goal killed us.”
Claude Puel’s side face Sheffield United in the FA Cup fifth round on Friday while City go to Wigan Athletic next Monday.
Before going to the DW stadium, Pep Guardiola's side face Basel in the Champions League last 16 first leg on Tuesday.