Demarai Gray has warned Riyad Mahrez that he is ready to replace him in Leicester ’s starting line-up.
England U21 ace Gray has come off the bench in all of the Foxes’ five Premier League games so far this term.
He has been unable to displace 2016 PFA Player of the Year Mahrez, despite the Algerian unsuccessfully demanding to go during the summer window.
But Gray has since made two successful starts in the Carabao Cup this term, catching the eye in Tuesday’s 2-0 third-round win over visitors Liverpool — in which fellow wideman Mahrez was an unused sub.
Now, the 21-year-old is hoping to get the nod to continue in boss Craig Shakespeare’s starting line-up when Liverpool return for an instant rematch in the top-flight on Saturday.
“It’s my job to give the manager a headache," said Gray. "That’s what I need to keep doing. Hopefully I can get a consistent run of games now and take my opportunities.
“I know I’ve got to fight for my place, because there are good players fighting for positions.”
Gray only made nine Premier League starts last term and admitted he was frustrated this summer.
His situation saw both Bournemouth and Tottenham table bids for the talented ex-Birmingham trainee, who joined Leicester in January 2016 for £3.5million.
Gray admitted: “I wanted more game time and I’ve had a tough time mentally. But that’s only going to help me develop and I’m in a much better place now. It’s kind of an issue if you’re not playing.
“You get frustrated and I think it’s good for the manager that he knows a player is frustrated. You want to play and get out there and help the team.”
Leicester have promised Gray a new contract after snubbing those summer offers.
The youngster’s £25,000-a-week salary is set to soar after a final round of talks between the Foxes and his representatives this week.
Gray added: “I’ll just keep working hard and hopefully something will get sorted and we’ll get things over the line.
“I’m a Leicester City player and I’ve just got to work hard to try to get my place in the team consistently.”