Schmeichel's Leicester future in doubt with Sanchez eyed as sucessor

Kasper Schmeichel will return to the Leicester team for Thursday’s clash at Chelsea but faces an uncertain future with the club seeking a long-term successor to the Dane.

The club captain was left out in favour of Danny Ward for last weekend’s 5-1 win at Watford and Sportsmail understands the Foxes are strong admirers of Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.

Sanchez has three years left to run on his current contract and Brighton are likely to place a huge price tag on the Spaniard, which may put him out of reach of all but the wealthiest clubs this summer.

Leicester are not among those and are likely to need to sell players to provide boss Brendan Rodgers with the outfield signings he wants.

Schmeichel has been at Leicester since 2011, when he was signed for just £1million. During his time at the club, Leicester have won the Premier League, FA Cup and Community Shield, as well as reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League and semi-finals of the Europa Conference League.

The 35-year-old is one of the club’s top earners and has 12 months left on his current deal. He admitted earlier this season that he may seek a new challenge before his career ends.

Rodgers said: ‘He is very happy here. Of course naturally he is getting to the age where he sees the finishing line a little bit down the line but in my conversations with him he is very happy.

‘He’s got a year to go. It’s important for him and for us he is in the best condition he can possibly be in.

‘We have seen with Danny Ward there is a challenge there but I think he [Schmeichel] wants to be here. I think he wants to continue the fight and his career here, and up until now he has had a fantastic career.

‘The plan was for Kasper to play the final two games. I’ve