Silva granted Portugal return while Leicester prepares FIFA appeal

Adrien Silva is back in his native Portugal after not being allowed to even train for Leicester City.

The Foxes reached an agreement to sign the midfielder from Sporting CP for £22 million on Aug. 31, but FIFA kiboshed the deal, declaring the paperwork was submitted 14 seconds after the transfer deadline. Leicester is working on an appeal to clear Silva for rigours at the club's Belvoir Drive base and on English pitches, arguing that the necessary documents were provided on time.

With both clubs considering the deal done, the 28-year-old spent time in East Midlands before being given leave to Portugal as he awaits a new addition to the Silva clan.

"He's an expectant father so he spent a bit of time with his family," Leicester manager Craig Shakespeare revealed to BBC Sport.

Leicester could do with some help in the centre of midfield after Danny Drinkwater shifted to Chelsea on transfer-deadline day for around £35 million. Wilfred Ndidi, Matty James, and Andy King have shared minutes so far, with Daniel Amartey currently out of favour under Shakespeare.

Silva's greatest worry may involve the World Cup in Russia next summer. Portugal will advance to the showpiece if it leapfrogs Switzerland in Group B or is successful in a play-off, but Silva's place in the squad is at risk while he doesn't secure regular football at club level. Renato Sanches already suffered the ignominy of being dropped when he failed to impose himself on Carlo Ancelotti's plans at Bayern Munich last season, and was instead called into Under-21 action.

"The conversations I've had with him so far are very brief," Shakespeare added on Silva's exile. "But of course in the back of his mind the World Cup will be a concern. I think he is more interested in finding the right solution for here and now."