Ahead of Saturday's match against Birmingham City at the King Power Stadium, Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has provided an update on his current fitness status.
After a period of absence due to injury at the start of the year, Ndidi made his comeback in early March and has since been in the starting lineup for City's last two league matches.
He completed the full 90 minutes at Ashton Gate on Good Friday, marking his first uninterrupted game time since the reverse fixture against Birmingham late in 2023.
Having missed the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2024), Ndidi returned to the Super Eagles during March's international friendlies with Ghana and Mali.
Ndidi reflects on road to full fitness
Reflecting on his journey back to full fitness, the 27-year-old emphasised the gradual nature of his recovery process. “I’m getting closer to full fitness, but it comes slowly and gradually. It doesn’t just come in one or two games,” Ndidi remarked.
Despite the challenges, Ndidi remains optimistic about his future contributions to the team. “As we move forward, we’ll see what happens in the future,” he said. “If I’m in the team, I’ll always do my best, but the fitness always comes game by game, as does the confidence also.”
Why Leicester City will need a fully-fit Wilfred Ndidi in their promotion bid
Having led the Championship table for several months, the Foxes surrendered to their top position to Ipswich Town last week and are currently placed third on the log.
Leicester trail Ipswich Town by two points and second-placed Leeds United by one point, but they have played one game less.
Enzo Maresca's side will need a fully fit Ndidi in their quest to return to the elite division of English club football. There are many plausible explanations why the Nigeria international is important to Leicester's promotion bid. The Nigeria international has impressed since joining Leicester from Belgian side Genk for £17million in January 2017, yet watching him play does not feel like watching a 27-year-old still finding his feet at a much higher level.
His ball-winning skills are supreme and his tackles superb – most of them are clean and perfectly timed. Ndidi is tall at 6ft 1in. He is extremely good in the air, which makes him a great asset from set pieces in both penalty areas. He's got a penchant for the spectacular too.
Leicester are a better team with Ndidi starring. In their recent victory over Norwich City, the Foxes got a deserved equaliser in the 33rd minute when Wilfred Ndidi's deep cross was headed back toward goal by Stephy Mavididi allowing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to apply the finishing touch.
Leicester had lost four of their last six league games going into that fixture with fears that Maresca's team could be set to jeopardise a promotion bid that earlier this year looked certain.
Ndidi has scored four goals and registered six assists in 28 games across all competitions in the 2023/24 football season.
Could this season mark Wilfred Ndidi's last at Leicester?
The midfielder currently with Leicester City has reportedly drawn interest from Turkish football powerhouse Galatasaray.
Ndidi's existing contract with the King Power Stadium is due to end within the next three months, and he has not yet committed to a new deal with the Foxes.
This situation has garnered attention from various prominent European clubs, with Galatasaray among those showing interest in acquiring his services.
According to Fotomac, the Turkish side, who are currently leading the Süper Lig, are keen on securing Ndidi's services and are hoping to use the prospect of Champions League football as a lure. Galatasaray have been long-time admirers of the Nigerian.
Transfermarkt currently values him at around €16m.
