Leicester City manager, Ruud van Nistelrooy, has expressed excitement over the return of Jordan Ayew following the forward's one-match suspension.

Ayew missed the Foxes' 2-0 defeat to Manchester City at the King Power Stadium on Sunday, December 29, 2024, due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

The 33-year-old received his fifth yellow card of the season in Leicester's 3-1 loss to Liverpool on Boxing Day, after scoring to put his side ahead.

As a result, he was forced to sit out the following match.

Currently sitting 19th in the Premier League with 14 points from 19 games, Leicester is fighting against relegation.

Ahead of their crucial match against Aston Villa, Van Nistelrooy emphasised how Ayew’s return would provide a vital boost to the team’s survival hopes.

“We’re delighted to have Jordan Ayew back after his suspension, which is a big boost for us,” Van Nistelrooy said during a pre-match interview.

Ayew, who joined Leicester from Crystal Palace at the start of the 2024/25 season after seven years at Selhurst Park, has been a key player for the Foxes.

His contributions have included scoring important goals to secure points against Ipswich and Southampton, solidifying his role as an integral part of the team.

FKA/EB