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How Leicester City’s injured stars inspired Iheanacho

Leicester City claimed victory at Brighton despite having eight players missing through injury, and Iheanacho said he was desperate to make them proud while they watch from home.

Leicester City players must show their desire to finish in the top four – not just for themselves but for their injured team-mates too.

That was the verdict of Kelechi Iheanacho after City boosted their Champions League qualification hopes with a late comeback win at Brighton.

Trailing in the game and missing eight squad members through injury, including key players like Jonny Evans, Harvey Barnes and James Maddison, City were staring at a damaging defeat at half-time on the south coast, exacerbating the feeling that booking a seat at Europe’s top table was going to slip away again, just as it did last season.

read also:Iheanacho has silenced critics with his goal run – Rodgers

But they responded in the second half thanks to goals from Iheanacho and Daniel Amartey, two players who may not have been in the side if it weren’t for the injuries.

The victory temporarily took City up to second in the table, and increased their cushion inside the top four to seven points ahead of Monday night’s fixtures.

Iheanacho said it was a case of proving they were more motivated to finish in the top four this time, following last year’s fall to fifth, as well as being keen to make their stricken colleagues proud.

“We have so many quality players, these players are massive, we really miss them and all of their individual qualities,” Iheanacho said.

“We need to come out and represent them so well, so that when they watch from home they are proud of us, and so we are in a good place when they recover and come back.

“Yes, we are second in the table, and hopefully we can stay there for a long time. It’s just one game at a time.

“We are confident, we need to need it more (than last season). We have injuries, but we have players who can do the job, so we just need to keep our heads up and be hungry.”

Iheanacho’s goal was his fourth in seven games for City, and his manager said he was “coming up trumps” amid the injury problems.

The Nigerian’s finish took him to seven for the season, and level with Jamie Vardy for number of non-penalty goals scored this term.

read also:Leicester boss reels out Iheanacho’s qualities ahead Southampton clash

Iheanacho said: “I’m happy with the goals that are coming now. I feel good.

“We have a great squad, we have great quality in lots of positions. It’s a bit difficult for the manager, because he needs to use everybody, and then we have to have an impact.

“I need to wait for my time, but I’m confident with how things are going right now, I just have to keep working hard and keep taking the opportunities.”

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