Leicester fans were greeted with a very pleasing sight on Friday morning as the club announced that Riyad Mahrez had finally returned to first-team training.The Algerian winger had been AWOL ever since his failed move to Manchester City on deadline day, missing the Foxes games against Everton and Swansea.Mahrez's actions have drawn a lot of criticism from neutral sources, however, Leicester will be hoping his return to Belvoir Drive is finally the end of the matter.A club statement read: "Riyad Mahrez has today (Friday) returned to training with the Leicester City squad."Riyad remains a greatly valued member of Claude Puel’s squad and is focused, together with his teammates, on achieving further success with Leicester City."Leicester even posted a video on their official Twitter account showing fans how Mahrez got on following his return.

VIDEO: MAHREZ'S COMEBACK

But, there was still some controversy surrounding the whole debacle to surface on Friday, as Mahrez himself released quite a telling statement.

The 26-year-old has not held back...

MAHREZ'S STATEMENT

He wrote: “Leicester City were always aware of my whereabouts and had knowledge of my thinking either directly or via my advisors.

“I have been a part of the Leicester City team that has achieved much success including promotion to the Premier League and being Champions of the League.

“My goals have always been the same and I have always given my full 100 per cent when I play for the club the fans and my teammates.

“Those goals remain the same today and in the future and when I am asked to be a part of the Leicester team, rest assured I will continue to give my all.

“Over the past ten days many people claiming to be my friends have spoken about me and things they know nothing about.

“Off the back of that many people and journalists have made assumptions without properly checking the story, so I would like to clarify that all those so-called assumptions of why I was absent are completely untrue.

“Myself nor my advisors have ever made any statements about that so all presumptions made are totally without foundation.”

Mahrez is clearly livid with his 'friends'.

So, is he telling the truth? Did the media and his 'friends' put a negative spin on his actions? Or is it more likely that Mahrez is simply doing all he can to clear his name.