“I think the first benefit is a bit of refreshing - not a physical refresh, because I think the stats are good on the team and the performances and the training schedule. With the three weeks [break between games] now, it’s a tough ask to just keep going in and out of Finch Farm with no outcome. There’s nothing at the end of those weeks, whereas the players are used to having that cycle of preparing, getting ready, tuning in and playing...it is good to have the whole squad and whole staff here and have that chance to breathe, assess, make sense of where we’re at and get ready for the last 10 [games],” says manager Sean Dyche. [EFC]

Hear more from Dyche on the team excursion below.

Chelsea have eight players missing for FA Cup quarter-final clash with Leicester City

Leicester City have the chance to book their place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup this weekend when facing Chelsea in the capital.
The Foxes, whose Championship campaign has lost momentum in recent weeks, will momentarily turn their attention away from the second tier to compete for a place at Wembley in the final four of the FA Cup.

Leicester of course defeated Chelsea in the final of this competition in 2021, Youri Tielemans scoring the only goal of the game to secure this trophy for the first time in the club's history.


Enzo Maresca is now the man looking to get the better of Chelsea, who will be without several players for Sunday's fixture at Stamford Bridge.

READ MORE: Mauricio Pochettino demands Chelsea 'calm' and fears Leicester City 'problem'


READ MORE: Jamie Vardy point made as Leicester City prepare for Chelsea FA Cup quarter-final
Ex-Leicester left-back Ben Chilwell is currently undergoing a specialist medical assessment due to a knee injury sustained after his side's 2-2 draw with Brentford earlier this month. Chilwell is not expected to be back in action just yet. The same also applies with another former member of the Foxes' squad: Wesley Fofana. The Frenchman has not featured once this season after rupturing his ACL during pre-season training and is not likely to make his comeback until the summer.
Elsewhere in defence, Levi Colwill is also set to miss out on Sunday's showdown due to a toe problem. The English defender missed Chelsea's 3-2 win over Newcastle on Monday and is now beginning a rehabilitation programme. Fellow centre-back Benoit Badiashile is also unlikely to be in contention after picking up a groin injury. Reece James, meanwhile, remains a long-term absentee.

Midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu was due to be missing for eight weeks after hurting his hamstring in a Christmas Eve defeat at Wolves, though is yet to return to training and won't be involved. Romeo Lavia is another individual in this department who has been missing for some time, his only appearance of the campaign coming against Crystal Palace in December, and will not face Leicester.

In attack, Christopher Nkunku is the final player who Maresca's side won't have to contend with. The former RB Leipzig star has been in and out of the Chelsea team in 2023/24 and is currently back on the sidelines after a new, recent injury blow.

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Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca sends Stephy Mavididi simple demand

Latest Leicester City news as Enzo Maresca wades in on Stephy Mavididi's 2024 form with a simple message
Stephy Mavididi has struggled to replicate his early season form for Leicester City(Image: Plumb Images)
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Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca has defended Stephy Mavididi's difficult start to 2024 after the winger's run without a goal continued in the 2-2 draw at Hull City.


Mavididi endured a difficult afternoon on Saturday as the Foxes dropped further points. After conceding a penalty for the home side by pulling Regan Slater down inside the box, the 26-year-old struggled to make an impact at the other end of the pitch.



Despite another out-of-form display, Mavididi remained on the pitch as Leicester chased a winner. The winger has now failed to score or assist from open play since the New Years' Day win over Huddersfield Town.

READ MORE: 'No-one gets to see it' - Inside Trey Nyoni's Leicester City pathway, Liverpool exit and tribunal case

READ MORE: I watched Stephy Mavididi's unwanted Leicester City record continue against Hull

After the game, Maresca defended the forward's form but admitted he must improve in one area of his game. “Stephy has to improve. a little bit, his body language," the City boss said.

"As you said, in the first 5 minutes, two or three times, they pushed him from behind and no foul. We haven’t been lucky with this referee. In 2 games, [he's] probably cost us some points.”

“It’s part of the season where he’s not been at his best. For some weeks, he’s been very good. It’s something normal, when you are in March and you play almost 45 games, between Championship, Carabao Cup and FA Cup. They are human beings and sometimes during the season they can be tired. It is what it is.”