KEY POINTS

  • Foxes remain without the two long-term injury victims for the visit of Spurs.
  • Puel urges Mahrez to discover more consistency, but is happy with his frustration.

Leicester City remain without long-term injury victims Robert Huth and Matty James for the visit of Tottenham Hotspur.

Germany international Huth has not played this season after undergoing ankle surgery in the summer while James has been absent since September due to an Achilles issue.

James started Leicester's first four Premier League games but has been sidelined since with neither he or Huth having resumed training ahead of Tottenham's trip to the King Power Stadium.

"For the first time no injured players – just Matty James and Huth not available, all the other players are available as we start with games every three days," manager Claude Puel confirmed, according to the Leicester Mercury. "We will see for some rotation. We are playing a match four days after the last.

"I don't know when they can come back on the team. For the moment, they can run without weights in the gym and work hard. No possibility for the moment to play on the pitch and with the squad."

The Foxes have lost just two of their last 11 games in all competitions. They continued that encouraging run with a 1-1 draw at West Ham United, less than 24 hours before Tottenham were held by West Bromwich Albion.

In an effort to hold onto the point Puel replaced Riyad Mahrez with Ben Chilwell with 20 minutes remaining at the London Stadium, a decision that frustrated the Algeria international.

Mahrez has made no secret of his desire to leave Leicester and saw moves to Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea and Roma fall through in the summer as the club's £45m (€50.2m) valuation priced out those outfits.

But the ex-Southampton boss is not concerned by the reaction and expects Mahrez to remain at Leicester ahead of the January transfer window.

"I think he was a little frustrated in the second half without the possibility to get on the ball and to play," said Puel. "It's a good thing when a player is not happy. Now it's important to help him have more consistency once again because he is an important player for us and it's important he can play on his part of the pitch with all his qualities.

"He is the most important player, with Jamie Vardy, and it's important he can show his quality. All the players have to find good consistency in their game – game after game. It's the most important thing. He's a talented player and if he can show his quality game after game then it ill be fantastic for him and also the squad.

"I am here also to help the players and squad to find a good balance in their game and consistency, it is the most important thing. We will see for the future but it is important to give them more opportunities to find a good balance and consistency."

Tottenham are set to be without midfielder Harry Winks due to illness, while Toby Alderweireld and Victor Wanyama remain out with hamstring and knee injuries. Danny Rose could return after missing the West Brom stalemate while Erik Lamela is in line for his first appearance for over a year.

Claude Puel
Puel's side have lost one of their last eight in all competitions. Getty Images