Claude Puel has backed Riyad Mahrez to rise to the occasion of facing Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter-final to put Leicester a step closer to earning silverware.
Mahrez has returned to form after missing two games following the collapse of his prospective transfer to Manchester City and Puel believes the Algerian is motivated to perform against last season's champions.
Mahrez has scored two superb goals in as many matches, as well as providing a fine assist for Jamie Vardy's goal-of-the-season contender against West Bromwich Albion.
Riyad Mahrez has been impressive for Leicester of late, scoring two goals in his last two games
Pep Guardiola is said to still be monitoring the 27-year-old with a view to a potential summer move and the visit of Chelsea to the King Power Stadium today provides Mahrez with an opportunity to reaffirm his talent.
‘Yes I think they have a good motivation about this game and about the end of the season, of course,' said Puel.
‘It was complicated in the first part of the season to believe we have the opportunity to play for something at the end. Riyad and all the players, the chairman also, deserve something.
‘But the most important thing is to keep the focus for call center solution the next game because it is a decisive game.
We will see at the end if we can continue this journey or not.
Leicester manager Claude Puel is eager for his side to go all the way in the FA Cup this season