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Robert Huth will have to fight for his Leicester City place, says Claude Puel

By Harneet Singh Sethi

PETERBOROUGH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 27: Robert Huth of Leicester City looks on during The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Peterborough United and Leicester City at ABAX Stadium on January 27, 2018 in Peterborough, England (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
PETERBOROUGH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 27: Robert Huth of Leicester City looks on during The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Peterborough United and Leicester City at ABAX Stadium on January 27, 2018 in Peterborough, England (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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Fit again Robert Huth will have to fight to earn a place in Claude Puel’s Leicester City, the manager has said.

The German was ruled out for a majority of the season back in the summer with a malleolar injury. Now that he’s back after an ankle surgery, there’s no certainty about his place in the side anymore.

Fully fit and raring to go, Huth, however, must now fight five other centre-backs to come back into the starting XI, something that’s going to be very tough to do, especially for a 33-year old like him.

Speaking of the FIFA World Cup 2014 winner, Claude Puel said:

"“He is fit and has good attributes, but we have five strong centre backs for two places.“It’s difficult for some players to give them all the game time they want. It’s competition.“Robert is an experienced player and he knows this.“There is some frustration perhaps but he keeps a good attitude in training.“He also gives good advice to young players.“He’s also a man with a lot of humour. I like this.“I’d like to give him some more game time, but it’s competition and we need to respect this.“He’s a good professional.”"

It’s strange to even think of seeing Robert Huth back as a first-choice centre-back, with Harry Maguire already an indispensable part and the other spot belonging to Wes Morgan or Aleksandar Dragovic.

While there’s no questioning that Huth remains a key player at the club – as Puel said – there’s little doubt over the fact that he is well past his best and can only be used in cup games of low intensity.

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Leicester City have only recently started to look an improved defending side, so to bring someone in merely based on stature than merit would be a shot in the foot. Puel may have already made a mistake by replacing Dragovic with Morgan for no apparent reason, and he mustn’t make another by making room for Huth – not even in Morgan’s place.

Nonetheless, Robert Huth’s return at least ensures more depth for the centre-back position.

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