The role Papy Mendy will play at Leicester now he’s reinstated

Unlike Benkovic – who didn’t make a single senior appearance for Leicester this season – Mendy will be key to the squad for the rest of this season. The injury crisis at Leicester City isn’t relenting, with Jonny Evans out until April at the very least. This, alongside Soyuncu and Vestergaard’s poor performance, suggests that Wilfred Ndidi could be deployed as a starting centre back  – just as he was against Liverpool in December.

Ndidi’s role in the back-line leaves a hole in midfield that Mendy could easily fill, especially if he takes his AFCON form back with him when he returns to Seagrave. The Foxes are still, at time of writing, fighting in three competitions (Premier League, FA Cup and Europa Conference League) and will desperately want to get a cup to fix a mixed season for them. Mendy adds crucial depth if they are to do this.

With his contract expiring in 2023, it seems like Mendy will be on the move in the summer, I think it would come as a great surprise to Foxes fans if he were to extend his contract again. If he is to leave in the summer, it would be a fantastic send-off if his final actions in the East Midlands were to help his team win the Conference League. Either way, it is good to see him back.