Leicester City head coach Ruud Van Nistelrooy has dismissed speculation surrounding the potential departure of Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi.
The 28-year-old last featured for the Foxes in their 2-2 draw against Brighton and Hove Albion in early December, exiting the match in the 52nd minute after sustaining a hamstring injury.
Since Ndidi’s absence, Leicester City have struggled in the Premier League, securing just one win from six matches and currently sitting 19th in the standings.
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Despite reports linking Ndidi with a move to French club AS Monaco, Van Nistelrooy has clarified that the Nigerian international remains a crucial part of his plans at the King Power Stadium.
“No, of course not. Wilfred is a key player and an important figure within the squad and the club. I am pleased that he is close to returning to help the team. We know how much we’ve missed him, and we need him. Wilf will play a vital role in the coming months as we fight to get out of this situation,” the former Manchester United striker told BBC Sports.
Ndidi signed a new three-year contract with Leicester City last summer, which includes an option to extend for an additional year. However, a potential departure could still be on the cards at the end of the season, especially if Leicester faces relegation to the EFL Championship.
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As Leicester prepare for their upcoming fixture against Tottenham Hotspur, Van Nistelrooy confirmed that Ndidi will not be available for the trip to the London Stadium.
“I can’t yet provide a definite return date, but he is making significant progress. Hopefully, by next week, we will have more updates on his status. Wilfred is advancing well in his rehabilitation and could rejoin team training sometime next week,” the former Real Madrid forward told Leicester Mercury.
Both Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City have faced challenges in recent weeks, making the upcoming match a crucial opportunity for both teams to make a statement in the fight to improve their league standing.
