Adrien Silva starts training with Leicester City
Thursday 12 October 2017 16:24, UK
Craig Shakespeare is relieved that Adrien Silva has finally started training with Leicester City after the transfer window 'saga'.
The Foxes signed Silva from Sporting Lisbon on the final day of the summer transfer window but the £25m deal arrived onto FIFA's Transfer Matching System (TMS) 14 seconds after the transfer deadline passed.
Leicester launched an appeal to secure the Portuguese midfielder, but it was rejected, and the club might be considering going to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
As things stand, the 28-year-old will now not be registered to play for Craig Shakespeare's team until January. However, Silva is now being properly integrated into the group.
"I can thankfully report he is training with us," Shakespeare said. "Obviously I am disappointed with the decision by FIFA. The other processes are in the hands of the club.
"I speak to (Silva) on a regular basis during training to make sure he is fully focused on what his requirements are. I am still getting to know him, I do not know him 100% yet," Shakespeare added.
"I think it was always difficult during this saga if you want to call it that. He had to miss out not just on club football, but also national football."
Sky Sports News understands that Sporting Lisbon consider the deal done, are expecting payment from the Foxes, and are prepared to fight the Premier League club legally if they try to return the player.
Speaking about Silva's arrival, Shakespeare said: "We have tried to keep his spirits up. The players will tell you about the banter, he's brilliant in and around the changing rooms.
"I want to integrate him as quick as possible, I can do that now. But ultimately, he is out on the training pitch, which is good for him and good for me."
Speaking ahead of their match against West Brom, Shakespeare revealed that their star striker Jamie Vardy is back.
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"Vardy has fully recovered from his hip problem. He had the injections straight after the Bournemouth game and he was given time away as he wasn't allowed to do anything.
"But he has trained fully this week and looked sharp," he added. "I'm really pleased to report there are no ill effects. Hopefully he can go forward for us, and for the national team if he's selected. But yes, he is back."
