Claudio Ranieri has taken a Champions League gamble by leaving Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez at home in a bid to refresh the star pair ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash against Manchester City.
Robert Huth, Islam Slimani and Andy King have also not travelled to Porto with qualification for the knock-out stages as group winners already confirmed and Ranieri conscious of the developing relegation battle domestically.
The Leicester manager said his revamped team at Estadio do Dragao possesses players who can stake claims for inclusion once back to Premier League action and stressed those absentees required rest.