Kelechi Iheanacho to miss Leicester match in Poland after problem with documents

The Foxes must face Legia Warsaw on Thursday without striker Iheanacho.

Nick Mashiter
Wednesday 29 September 2021 18:29 BST
Leicester’s Kelechi Iheanacho has been unable to travel to Warsaw (Steven Paston/PA)
Leicester’s Kelechi Iheanacho has been unable to travel to Warsaw (Steven Paston/PA) (PA Wire)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Kelechi Iheanacho has been ruled out of Leicester’s Europa League clash with Legia Warsaw after being turned away by Polish border control.

The striker travelled to Warsaw with the Foxes but a problem with his travel documents meant he was not allowed into the country.

The Foxes face Legia on Thursday but are now without the Nigeria international – last season’s 19-goal top scorer – who will now have to return to the UK.

Boss Brendan Rodgers said: “We’ve had an issue with Kelechi. His documentation coming into the country wasn’t sufficient, so he wasn’t able to travel. He will be unavailable for the game.

“The paperwork didn’t allow him to enter the country. We’ll have to look at that when we’re back.”

Jonny Evans has not travelled as he struggles to shake off an ongoing foot problem which has dogged him since earlier in the year, while Wilfred Ndidi is banned.

Legia top Group C after beating Spartak Moscow 1-0 in their opening game while Leicester lost a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Napoli.

“They had a fantastic result in the last game. They’re very well organised, the players are very committed, and on the counter-attack they can give us problems,” Rodgers said at a press conference.

“In the last game and a half we have been more like ourselves in our football, so hopefully we can bring that to Legia and make it really difficult for them.

“You travel to play in great stadiums in front of passionate supporters. It should be a great game in a great atmosphere, and it’s something you always have to deal with away in Europe.

“It’s been a great experience and we want to keep achieving it. It’s an ambition of ours to keep playing at this level. You have to earn it and that’s hopefully something we can keep doing over the next number of years.”

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in