Mendy Features In Ranieri’s Fitness Update

- The midfielder continues his recovery from an ankle injury sustained in August 

- Ranieri hopes Kasper Schmeichel will be back in action this month 

Claudio Ranieri says Nampalys Mendy is making good progress, as the midfielder continues his recovery from an ankle problem. 

Mendy, 24, picked up an injury while on debut for the Foxes in August against Arsenal as has not featured since then. 

But Ranieri has revealed that the Frenchman, alongside left back Ben Chilwell, has trained well all week as the Foxes prepare to take on Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday. 

“Everybody is available and they have trained very well,” Ranieri told the media ahead of the fixture at the Stadium of Light. “We know it’s an important match for us and for them and we are ready. 

“[Nampalys] Mendy, Ben Chilwell and everybody else have come back to the first team and they have trained all week. They are available. Of course they haven’t played 90 minutes, but they’re okay. 

“I think Mendy is very close because now he’s trained with one week without pain and he’s good. Now he needs to take more time to improve his fitness but he’s good. 

“He’s ready and works with us. He made all the training sessions pain free this week. That is good. He lacks stamina because it’s not possible 90 minutes, but he’s getting better. Then, I’ll decide which players come with me in the first XI and the bench.” 

Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel remains sidelined with a hand injury, but Ranieri is hoping the Denmark international can make a return this month. 

“Only Kasper [is out],” added Ranieri. “He is working normal in the training session separately, but he’s okay. 

“His return depends on him. I hope before Christmas Day he’s ready – that depends on him and the surgery. The fitness is getting better. 

“Today (Thursday), I shook his hand. He always goes to give me his left hand but today I said no, you give me your right hand and it was good. It was gentle one, not a Marcin Wasilewski one!”