Carlos Carvalhal insists he cares little whether or not Riyad Mahrez faces Swansea City on Saturday.
The Swans manager will be looking for a third straight Premier League victory at the King Power Stadium, where it is expected the home side will be without Mayrez.
The Algerian has not turned up for training since he failed to gain a transfer deadline day move to Manchester City after Leicester dug their heels in over an £80m valuation.
A friend of the 26-year-old winger has since released a statement saying the player is “very depressed” with the way in which he has been denied a move.
“If I live in my house with neighbours, I don’t know what they will do,” said Carvalhal in response to the question of whether or not he felt Mahrez would be lining up against his team.
“I never look inside their house. I protect mine, my family and my dogs so it’s not my problem.”
But Carvalhal also suggested there could be a way back into the Foxes side for Mahrez – a key player during their title triumph of two seasons ago – and likened the situation with that he had as Sheffield Wednesday manager with Argentine striker Fernando Forestieri.
“It is a reality, I had a situation with Forestieri at Sheffield Wednesday but we managed the problem well and the player stayed and played well and did not leave.
“That is an example where the chairman and I solved it. The chairman was determined to keep him and after I did my part with him, he stayed. There are many different solutions defending on the player, club, manager and chairman.”
New Swans loan signing Andy King must wait to make his debut because he is ineligible to face his parent club. He is also unavailable for FA Cup duty having played in the competition for Leicester this season, meaning he will not be in contention to play for his new club until the home game with Burnley in eight days’ time.
“It is a shame I can’t be involved this weekend but it gives me a week or so to get to know the club more and the style of play,” said King.
“I think I can bring experience to the team. I have been in relegation battles before which helps, and I also want to bring some good energy and goals to the team.
“It is a surprise to see Swansea in the position they are in with the quality of players who are here, but we seem to have turned a corner.
“We have a big last stretch of the season in front of us and we need everyone pulling in the right direction to get out of it.”
King has joined the Swans on loan for what remains of 2017-18 but is already contemplating the idea of staying in South Wales beyond his initial spell.
King also spoke to former Leicester loanee Nathan Dyer about life in Swansea before completing his deadline-day move.
“I know a couple of the lads here and I know Nath especially well from that brilliant season together at Leicester,” King added.
“It will be good to play with him again and I am just looking forward to getting going.”
