Leicester boss Claude Puel admits Riyad Mahrez made 'mistake' by missing recent games: 'It’s important to have our best players with us'

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Riyad Mahrez finally got his wish to play at Manchester City – and found out what he’s missed out on as Leicester City were thrashed 5-1.

Mahrez, who only returned to training on Friday after his dream move to The Etihad had collapsed on transfer deadline day, was used as a second-half substitute against the team he wanted to join.

Manager Claude Puel defended his decision to fast-track Mahrez's comeback despite admitting for the first time the player had made a 'mistake' by not being available for the club's previous two matches.

Riyad Mahrez played for Leicester for the first time since his move to Manchester City failed

The Algeria winger only returned to training on Friday but was a second half Foxes substitute 

The 29-year-old Algerian received a good reception from both sets of fans – particularly the home supporters - when he replaced Fousseni Diabate but the pain must have come flooding back as Sergio Aguero scored four.

Foxes manager Claude Puel hopes the Mahrez saga is now over. 

The player had been criticised for not being available to play for Leicester’s previous two matches but friends said the 2016 PFA Player of the Year was 'depressed' after his club turned down a £60million bid from Pep Guardiola.

Puel said: ‘The most important thing is that Riyad came back to the training session, to the game. Now it's important to look forward, and put this behind us, with the next games coming up.’

Friends of Mahrez said he was left 'depressed' after the move to join City failed to materialise

Foxes boss Claude Puel believes his player made a 'mistake' not playing the last two matches

Leicester were already 3-1 behind when Mahrez made his entrance and the winger was powerless to stop Aguero scoring twice more towards the end.

Mahrez is regarded as one of Leicester’s key players when they won the title but he has tried to leave the club in the last three transfer windows and some fans took to social media to criticise Puel’s decision to play him ahead of young prospect Demarai Gray who was also on the bench.

Puel defended his stance of welcoming Mahrez back quickly. 

'It was important to have all our best players with us. Since the beginning of the transfer window we took the decision at the club to protect the team. Riyad came back. He perhaps made a mistake but it’s important to have our best players with us.

'He’s a valuable player for this team like (Jamie) Vardy. Other players welcomed Riyad and that’s a good thing. It’s important for us all to be together. Now it’s important to move on together and prepare for the next game.'