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'Players facing up to Shakespeare sacking'

Caper Town - Leicester City caretaker coach Michael Appleton says it is taking time for the players to get over the shock of losing manager Craig Shakespeare.

The Foxes boss was sacked on Tuesday following a run of six games without a victory, leading the club to install Appleton in a caretaker role until a new manager is found.

The former Portsmouth, Blackpool, Blackburn Rovers and Oxford United boss revealed the Leicester players were "a bit raw" as a result of seeing Shakespeare lose his job just four months after signing a  permanent deal with the Foxes.

Speaking ahead of facing Swansea City on Saturday, Appleton said: "Like anyone obviously, the initial feeling was probably surprise. Having spoken to the players today, they are obviously a bit raw as you can imagine.

"They have lost a manager that they obviously respected highly and liked as a person - not just as a manager and coach.

"But the old adage 'nothing surprises you in football' is a phrase that gets used quite often.

"Only two or three days ago I was doing an interview and I mentioned how highly respected he was by all the staff and players at the football club.

"He has been here a long time and obviously he has done a lot of roles. He is a top, top guy."

Appleton added though that he is not keen on the Leicester job and hopes to continue in his assistant role.

"It is a situation for me where - and I have made this clear to the powers that be - I signed a contract in the summer to be the assistant manager of Leicester City and I would love to honour that contract given the opportunity," he added.

"But that is completely out of my control so my full focus is making sure I pick the right team for Saturday.

"Hopefully with a little bit of luck and a little bit of quality we can win the game."

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