Leicester City are likely to be without Harry Maguire and Jamie Vardy when they open the new Premier League season Aug. 10 at Manchester United, manager Claude Puel said.
The two players are expected to resume training on Monday after their extended break following the World Cup, leaving them just four days to be fit for the curtain-raiser at Old Trafford.
"Of course Jamie and Harry are valuable players for us, but we need to protect them," Puel told reporters after the 1-1 preseason draw against Valencia. "If they are available to play in their minds, it is a good thing because this shows their desire to come back and fight with the team, but we have to take a protective decision from us."
Maguire has been heavily linked to a move to United after impressing for England at the World Cup, but Puel said on Tuesday that the club have no plans to sell the defender because it would be difficult to secure a replacement so close to the end of the transfer window.
The 25-year-old started all seven games for England during the competition and also started all 38 games for Leicester last season, his first since a move from Hull City.