'He's back' - Leicester City coach confirms Super Eagles striker Iheanacho has returned from AFCON duty

Leicester City have gotten a boost ahead of their Championship clash with Middlesbrough at the King Power Stadium on Saturday as Kelechi Iheanacho is back in England following the conclusion of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Iheanacho was a bit-part player for the Super Eagles at the tournament in Ivory Coast and the highlight of his performance was scoring the decisive penalty in the shootout win against South Africa. 

The 2013 Fifa U17 World Cup Golden Ball winner made his first appearance of the competition off the bench in the semifinals and played the last eleven minutes against the Elephants. 

The versatile striker had fitness issues before the start of the tournament and missed the whole of the training camp in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. 

The Foxes coped well without Iheanacho, winning six of their last eight matches in the second tier and are through to the fifth round of the Emirates FA Cup following wins against Millwall and Birmingham City. 

When asked about the availability of Iheanacho, Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca was quoted as saying by Leicester City's official website: "He's back".

Iheanacho joined his Leicester City teammates in Friday's final training session, which puts him in contention to be named in the gameday squad to face Middlesbrough. 

The Super Eagles star has not featured for the Championship table toppers since Boxing Day. 

Igho Kingsley 

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