Algeria coach Lucas Alcaraz says he will not let Riyad Mahrez’s absence be a distraction ahead of Saturday’s clash against Zambia.

Mahrez is set to miss Saturday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup Group B qualifier away to Zambia on September 2 following his daring deadline Summer Transfer bid to try and leave Leicester City for Chelsea.

The 2016 African Footballer of the Year was excused from camp to return to England on Wednesday to attend to his transfer formalities.

“As coaches we all think of the best solutions but the best in such a situation one has to get the best out of the situation that we have,” Alcaraz said at Friday’s pre-match briefing at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.

Algeria arrived in Lusaka on Thursday evening at 22h00 on a chartered flight from Algiers.

The Fennecs fly back to Algeria immediately after the match to prepare for the final leg against Zambia on September 5 in Constantine.

Mahrez should be available for the final leg at home on Tuesday night.

Zambia will also charter a flight to Constantine for Tuesdsay’s final leg against Algeria.