Leicester can keep star players even without European football insists Craig Shakespeare

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Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

Craig Shakespeare believes Leicester can keep hold of their best and brightest despite not being able to offer European football next season.

The Foxes' fairytale Champions League run was finally ended my Atletico Madrid last week while their high-profile early season struggles now have them 15th in the Premier League ahead of Wednesday's clash with Arsenal.

But despite their run as champions coming to an end Shakespeare says his squad are a happy group and feels players such as Riyad Mahrez, Kasper Schmeichel and Danny Drinkwater will stay.

"We have said before we don't want to be a selling club. All the players are happy here," he said. "They are a very unique group, we have created something here which is quite special, so they have said they are quite happy.

"It's again one of those things. I have no problems with players being ambitious but they are at a good club here and get looked after well. I'm sure the time will come to sit down.

"We will probably have agents knocking on the door but we've said before we don't want to be a selling club and we want to add to that."

Shakespeare's future is also yet to be decided with his short-term contract as manager expiring at the end of the season.

His deal as assistant manager will continue beyond June and Shakespeare knows it cannot be allowed to drag on, even if he appears to be in pole position as he puts his summer plans in place.

"I'm sure the owners and the board are aware of that," said Shakespeare, who has won six of his 10 games in charge.

"I am in charge of pre-season. We are looking at that. I have had one meeting about recruitment, which I really enjoyed.

"Any time the club wishes to talk about recruitment or pre-season, of course I have an interest in it. Pre-season is sorted, so any things like that, that involves me, I am happy to be involved."