Adrien Silva to watch Leicester's face Chelsea from the stands as he remains in limbo and unable to train with move from Sporting Lisbon stalled

• e-mail

Adrien Silva will watch Leicester City face Chelsea from the stands as a guest of his prospective new club, despite his £22million transfer from Sporting Lisbon still awaiting ratification from FIFA.

The 28-year-old is unable to train with Leicester as the wrangle with world football’s governing body continues but he is in England and keeping fit with the aid of his brother, Jeremy Da Silva, a sports performance coach.

Craig Shakespeare admitted Silva is ‘in limbo’ after FIFA rejected the international clearance on his deal because relevant documents were uploaded 14 seconds after deadline. The club are looking at an appeal and have the support of the FA.  

Leicester boss Craig Shakespeare has confirmed Adrien Silva is unable to train with the club

FIFA rejected The Portuguese's deadline-day move due to late submission of paperwork

Shakespeare also hinted that Danny Drinkwater’s protracted transfer to Chelsea became fractious at times, ahead of the midfielder’s return to the King Power Stadium.

The Leicester manager said he was aware Drinkwater wanted to leave ‘well before’ the 27-year-old submitted a transfer request in the final week of the window and admitted the departure ‘disappointed’ him.

Drinkwater could make his Chelsea debut at the club where he spent five years, and Shakespeare said: ‘I knew he wanted to leave as soon as Chelsea made their point. There is a saying that a lot of things in football will disappoint you but nothing should surprise you. Sometimes you have to go with that way of thinking.  

Leicester signed Silva from Sporting Lisbon for £22m and are trying to get the transfer ratified

Sporting have released a statement insisting the 28-year-old is now no longer their player

‘I have found in these first six months there have been some difficult situations and you have to really hit them head on, and go about them in a controlled and measured way.

‘Of course there isn’t just the club and Danny, there are advisors as well. It can be a complicated web at times. It shows you that you can’t take anything for granted in football.’

On Silva, Shakespeare said: ‘He is not training. I’ve spoken to him, I feel for the lad. He is not only so keen to come, but the deal was also agreed between the clubs, it is just the finalisation.  

Shakespeare said Silva is 'in limbo' and is hopeful of resolving the matter soon so he can train

‘It is a very rare occasion, and we are trying to come to terms with it. It is World Cup year and he is in limbo. But he is a strong character and I am sure he will be fine.

‘You identify the players then you leave the other bits to the legal people. We review things as we go along. We will sit down and look at our system, as well.

‘I would love the player to be in with us. Hopefully, when I am told the players ours and he can train with us, we will welcome him with open arms.’  

The Leicester boss also admitted he was disappointed  Danny Drinkwater left for Chelsea

He said 'Danny made it very clear' he wanted to leave and could face his old club on Saturday

Shakespeare admitted Riyad Mahrez has been the subject of dressing-room teasing after reportedly basing himself at Barcelona Airport on deadline day, rather than travelling with the Algeria national team to Zambia.

‘He has taken a bit of a ribbing but he will brush it off,’ said Shakespeare. ‘When players go on international duty, they are in their care. He had permission from the Algerian FA. I did try him, but it was an international dialing tone. I wasn’t quite sure where he was.

‘Riyad has been transparent in our conversations and I have talked to him over last couple of days. I’m in no doubt of professionalism, and commitment.’

Riyad Mahrez also tried to force a move away but Shakespeare expects his full commitment