Leicester City hardest hit of Premier League clubs by Africa Cup of Nations departures

Manchester United and Liverpool have each lost an important player, but in the Premier League it is Leicester City for whom the Africa Cup of Nations is the biggest inconvenience.

While United centreback Eric Bailly has been called up by the Ivory Coast and Liverpool have lost Senegalese flier Sadio Mane, Leicester have had to cede Riyad Mahrez, Islam Slimani and Daniel Amartey.

Fifteenth in the table, Leicester are fighting to avoid being dragged into a relegation dogfight and leftback Christian Fuchs says it is a chance for the squad’s fringe players to prove their worth.

“These are very essential players for us,” Fuchs told local newspaper the Leicester Mercury.

“We can talk about how it will hurt us and make us weaker, but it is the time for the other guys to step up and show they are needed.”

Mahrez, 25, was named African Player of the Year last week for his starring role in Leicester’s 5,000-1 title triumph, having also been named England’s Players’ Player of the Year for last season.