Claude Puel insists Manchester City should have shown Leicester more respect in pursuit of Riyad Mahrez: 'I cannot suffer this situation'

• e-mail

On Wednesday night Claude Puel insisted Manchester City should have shown Leicester more respect in their late bid to sign Riyad Mahrez.

The Leicester manager explained his decision to play Mahrez at the Etihad on Saturday was to halt the 'suffering' caused by City's offer around 48 hours before transfer deadline.

Mahrez has been reintegrated into Leicester training and is in contention to start against Sheffield United on Friday night but Puel expressed irritation at City's part in the episode that saw the Algerian absent for 10 days.

Claude Puel is unhappy with Manchester City's pursuit of Riyad Mahrez on deadline day

The fallout from the collapsed move resulted in Mahrez being absent for 10 days 

Pep Guardiola's side made a final bid worth up to £65million for Mahrez on deadline day but Leicester wanted more than £80m and the move collapsed.

Mahrez had missed training on January 30 and then the match at Everton due to feeling very low, only reappearing last Friday morning ahead of the game against City. Puel sent the former PFA Player of the Year on for the final 28 minutes ahead of others to make a point to City.

'We had some solicitation of another club, and to make solicitation just one or two days before the end of the transfer window, I don't know if it's normal,' said Puel.

'I cannot suffer this situation because other teams make this thing against us. It was important to stay united within the club, the fans, the players.' 

Asked if he was still annoyed by City's approach, Puel said: 'Some teams can have a lot of possibility to replace some players, they have a different situation to manage.

The Algerian wanted to move to City but the Foxes demanded more than £80million

'We don't have a lot of players with the same quality as Riyad. For some other teams, it's not a difficulty to replace their players.

'For me, it's important. We're not a squad like some great teams at the top of the table. We need perhaps some other respect.' 

Puel said Mahrez spoke to his team-mates to express his mindset. 'Riyad gave his feeling in the dressing room, the details will remain inside the club,' Puel said.

'It was important to get some explanation for his team-mates and the staff. All is okay to move on and look forwards. Riyad has a positive attitude, he is training better, and we will see this in his game. He needs to kick on like the team.

Puel insists the saga is behind them and Mahrez is ready to fully contribute again 

'He always made good performances but he is enjoying to train, it's a pleasure when he gets to touch the ball.' 

Playfully questioned about the potential to show some love, Puel said with a smile: 'For Riyad there is no need for Valentine, he has a good relationship with his team-mates.

'He has come back with a smile. The story is behind him, all the players want to move on.'