Riyad Mahrez could feature in the Community Shield for Manchester City, having been given the green light to return to training after an ankle knock.
City’s club-record signing was forced off in the 28th minute of the 3-2 International Champions Cup victory over Bayern Munich on Saturday following a tackle from Chris Richards.
The Algeria international was pictured on crutches and wearing a protective boot on his return to Manchester.
However, the club have confirmed Mahrez sustained no “significant damage” and he may be available to Pep Guardiola to face Chelsea at Wembley.
“A scan [on Monday] has revealed no significant damage, and he could be available for selection for this weekend’s Community Shield against Chelsea.”
Mahrez was named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year during Leicester’s surprise Premier League triumph in 2015-16, and leaves the club having scored 48 goals in 179 appearances.
The Foxes said Mahrez had “played his way into the hearts” of supporters during four and a half years with the club.
“His moments of magic will live long in the memory as the club and its fans continue to build a long-term legacy for the success delivered by the teams to which Riyad so memorably contributed,” a Leicester statement read.
Mahrez handed in a transfer request in January but his move broke down with Manchester City not prepared to pay a £95m package demanded by Leicester.
He stayed at the King Power Stadium – scoring 12 league goals in 36 games as the Foxes finished ninth in the Premier League – and admitted he had “regrets” over a dispute with the club which saw Professional Footballers’ Association offer to mediate.
Manchester City were thought to have offered £50m at the time, but the final fee exceeds the £57m they paid Atletico Madrid for defender Aymeric Laporte in January.
Manchester City director of football Txiki Begiristain said: “Riyad is a hugely talented player. He beats defenders and creates space.
“Over the past few years, he has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most exciting players. We’re sure he will bring additional attacking quality to our squad.”In his four seasons at Leicester, Mahrez created 27 goals. The 27-year-old has signed a five-year deal to become the Blues’ first recruit since they won the Premier League.
Mahrez began his career as a youth player for French club AAS Sarcelles. He turned professional in 2009 with Quimper, where he played for only one season before moving to Le Havre, spending a total of three years with them, initially playing for their reserve team and then becoming a first-team regular.
In January 2014, Mahrez signed for English side Leicester City, helping them win the Championship and promotion to the Premier League at the end of his first season. In the 2015–16 season he was the Algerian Footballer of the Year, the PFA Players’ Player of the Year, and was a member of the Premier League PFA Team of the Year as he helped Leicester City win the Premier League.
Born in France, Mahrez made his international debut for Algeria in 2014 and represented them at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and both the 2015 and 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. In 2016 he was named CAF’s African Footballer of the Year.