Puel To Delay Naming Ndidi, Iheanacho, Others For Cardiff Game As Foxes Mourn Late Owner

Leicester City will delay naming Nigeria duo Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi, and their teammates in the line-up for today's Premier League match against Cardiff City at the King Power Stadium as the club and the footballing world continue to mourn the demise of owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

Manager Claude Puel is wary of the psychological blow the death of the Thai billionaire could have on the players who were close to the players.

Srivaddhanaprabha and four others died in a helicopter crash moments after Leicester's 1-1 draw against West Ham United in which Ndidi grabbed the Foxes' equaliser which has turned out to be the last goal witnessed by the philanthropist.

 "All people in the club lost a member of their family. We have to understand people and the man, not the player," The Mirror quotes the former Lille head coach.

"Here the situation is all the club and all the fans and you can imagine the emotion around the situation.

"I wait to understand the different feelings of my players – perhaps even on the day of the game. For me it is open."

Puel however believes the game should be devoid of any emotional attachments.

"I don't want to manipulate something or the emotions to play football. I don't want to use this event to find a victory or solidarity to win the games.

"I just want us to have the capacity to give our best to honour the chairman and to remember what he brought for all people in the club and for the fans – just this."

Meanwhile Leicester fans traveling to today's game will receive a free breakfast at the King Power Stadium and special tribute t-shirts in honour of the club's late chairman when they arrive at Cardiff's stadium.