Leicester City manager, Ruud van Nistelrooy, has ruled out the possibility of selling Nigerian midfielder Wilfred Ndidi this month despite interest from French Ligue 1 side Monaco.
Speaking to BBC, Van Nistelrooy insisted that Ndidi, who signed a new three-year contract with an option for a further year last summer after helping the Foxes secure Premier League promotion, remains crucial to the club’s plans.
“No, of course not,” Van Nistelrooy replied when asked if Ndidi could leave.
“Wilfred is a key player and person in the squad and in the club and I’m glad he is nearly there to help the team again. We know how much we’ve missed him and we know we need him. Wilf is key in the coming months, a key part of this team that can get us out of this situation.”
The 28-year-old midfielder has been sidelined with a thigh injury since their 2-2 draw against Brighton on December 8 and has missed the club’s last four matches, which have all ended in defeats.
Van Nistelrooy revealed that Ndidi, who has provided four assists in 15 Premier League appearances this season, could return to team training next week.
“The players that were available against Fulham are available at this moment for Spurs on Sunday. Wilf is making good progress in his rehabilitation. Hopefully he can be a part of team training at some point next week,” the Dutchman told the club’s website.
Leicester are currently second from bottom in the Premier League, two points from safety, following last weekend’s 2-0 defeat by Fulham. Another defeat on Sunday at Tottenham would equal a club record of eight consecutive league losses set in 2001.
Van Nistelrooy, who replaced Steve Cooper in November, has won just two of his 10 games in all competitions, with one being a 6-2 FA Cup third-round victory over QPR.
