The reason Chelsea loanee replaced Ndidi in Leicester City starting lineup against Sunderland 

Wilfred Ndidi's run of playing in fifteen consecutive matches for Leicester City came to an end on Tuesday evening, with manager Enzo Maresca omitting the central midfielder from the matchday squad for the ongoing Championship clash against Sunderland at the King Power Stadium. 

Before the visit of the Black Cats, the Nigeria national teamer had played twelve games in the Championship and three in the League Cup, with ten of those appearances coming from the off. 

Ndidi went the distance in Nigeria's 2-2 draw with Saudi Arabia on October 13, taking his total games for the season for club and country to sixteen on the bounce.

Allnigeriasoccer.com has been told that Enzo Maresca decided to give Ndidi a breather ahead of upcoming matches, with Chelsea loanee Cesare Casadei taking his place in the starting lineup. 

The 2023 Fifa U20 World Cup Golden Ball winner has struggled to break into Leicester City's starting lineup since his loan move, making two starts from a possible ten prior to the visit of Sunderland, largely due to the form of Ndidi. 

Leicester City have benefited from Ndidi playing in a more advanced role in midfield, with the Nigerian having a hand in seven goals (3 goals, 4 assists) - something he had not managed in a single-season before the 2023-2024 campaign. 

Meanwhile, Ndidi's international teammate Kelechi Iheanacho started for the Foxes after suffering an injury scare in the closing minutes of the 3-1 win at Swansea City last weekend. 

The Super Eagles striker will be aiming to extend his scoring streak to five in the Championship.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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