Gokhan Inler 'sick' of lack of first-team opportunities with Leicester
Gokhan Inler said he's "sick" of his lack of opportunities in the Leicester City starting XI and regrets not seeking a transfer in January.
The midfielder moved to the Premier League last summer but has managed just 10 appearances for the Foxes as Danny Drinkwater and N'Golo Kante are preferred in the middle.
"I had several enquiries in January, but didn't leave as the manager said that he was counting on me," Inler said.
"But there have been no more games for me since then. It makes me sick, and the stupid thing for me is that I have the Euro 2016 finals with Switzerland this summer."
The 31-year-old seems to have moved even further down the pecking order with Andy King, Leicester's long-serving player, getting some minutes in midfield recently. It's hard to criticise gaffer Claudio Ranieri's reluctance in shuffling his lineup, however, with his side unexpectedly topping the league.
That hasn't stopped Inler from getting upset over his situation in the East Midlands, though.
"I am in a critical situation," he said. "I usually speak diplomatically, but I have to face up to why things are the way they are. There is no point in me trying to sugar-coat the situation."
The former Napoli man claims to have turned down interest from West Ham United, Sunderland, and FC Schalke 04 during the last transfer window and, despite his peripheral role, has backed himself to come to the fore. That's more likely to happen next season, when Leicester's resources will be stretched further by European commitments.
"We'll need everyone next season - Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez - and myself. I am trying everything to get back into the first team, and I will succeed," Inler added.
The Foxes next face a visit from relegation-threatened Newcastle United on Monday.