Foxes wait for key men

Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri will face an anxious wait over the fitness of key players for tomorrow’s game with Crystal Palace.

Captain Wes Morgan (hip), midfielder Andy King (shin) and striker Jamie Vardy (groin) are nursing knocks following the Champions League victory against Copenhagen on Tuesday but Ranieri, who turned 65 yesterday, thinks they should all be available.

The struggling defending champions go into the Premier League home game against Palace top of their Champions League group with three wins from as many matches in the competition.

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique is set to be sidelined for around three weeks with the ankle sprain he sustained in Wednesday’s Champions League victory over Manchester City.

The 29-year-old was replaced just before half-time in Barca’s 4-0 win at the Nou Camp and further tests yesterday revealed the extent of the problem.

Fellow defender Jordi Alba also limped out of the match, being substituted just nine minutes in, and the 27-year-old is now set to be absent for a fortnight with a hamstring injury.

Mauricio Pochettino admits Tottenham’s misfiring striker Vincent Janssen is feeling the pressure but insists the Dutchman will deliver given time.

Janssen cost an initial £17 million when he joined from AZ Alkmaar last summer and has been given an extended run in the team while Harry Kane recovers from injury.

The 22-year-old, however, is yet to score from open play in 12 appearances.

“He is not frustrated, he is disappointed as strikers like to score,” Pochettino said.

“It is true we and he would be happier if he was scoring, but it’s a normal process.

“He only needs time.”