Riyad Mahrez: Leicester City winger cannot ponder relegation
- From the section Football
Winger Riyad Mahrez says he does not even want to contemplate the chance he could be playing Championship football with Leicester City next season.
The Foxes are bottom of the Premier League, four points from safety with 12 games of the season remaining.
Mahrez told BBC East Midlands Today: "I played six months in the Championship but it is too long with 46 games.
"I don't want to think about that. I want to walk out for my team and think we can stay in the Premier League."
Mahrez, 24, joined City from Le Havre in January 2014 and made a big impact in the closing stages of the season.
But despite dominating the second tier of English football last term, they have won just four league games this season. amid constant speculation that manager Nigel Pearson will be sacked.
The Algeria international has made 21 appearances this term scoring two goals - including a vital winner in the league game against Hull City in December.
"It's a big challenge. The Premier League has so many big teams," Mahrez said. "Every game is a big game and much more difficult than the Championship. We are happy to play these games.
"I have a very good relationship with the manager because he brought me to England. The players are behind him and together.
"We are very positive - we have to be. Sometimes it's frustrating because we have played good. We have lots of chances and games we could win. We have to keep on going because we have the quality to stay in the Premier League."