RANIERI DESPERATE FOR A ‘LEADER’ WITH CHARACTER AND EXPERIENCE

CLAUDIO RANIERI has admitted he needs a leader on the pitch who can inspire Fulham out of relegation peril.

The Cottagers have been linked with a move for Chelsea’s former England centre-back Gary Cahill, and also midfielder Danny Drinkwater, as manager Ranieri looks to recruit from one of his former clubs.

He has been promised funds by Fulham owner Shahid Khan this month as he battles to haul his side away from the Premier League drop zone. He has also been linked with Leicester duo Christian Fuchs and Shinji Okazaki, two of the players who helped his Foxes win the title in 2016.

But what Ranieri, whose side travel to Burnley tomorrow in a critical relegation clash, really needs is a leader on the pitch. The Italian said: “We have to bring someone in to survive. It would be a good boost for my players. We need someone who has experience. A leader, with good character and personality. Then we can improve our team.

“We have a very good team – but without experience. We are looking in every direction and we will see what happens this month.

“We are open-minded, I speak every day with Tony Khan (Fulham’s transfer guru). We are so close and I hope we can achieve what we are thinking.”

Fulham are one place off the bottom of the Premier League with only one win in their last eight games.

And Ranieri added: “I never look at the league table but Burnley is another crucial game. I am always optimistic, but I don’t know when the corner arrives. I hope soon.”