Ranieri plans 10 changes as he focuses on survival

Claudio Ranieri is ready to turn ‘Tinkerman’ again and risk an FA Cup exit by making up to 10 changes at Millwall tomorrow.

Ranieri has pledged to drastically shake up his squad for the tricky tie at the League One giant-killers, who have already knocked Premier League Bournemouth and Watford out of the competition.

The Leicester City manager admits his side’s situation is “very serious” after five League defeats, which have left the champions in danger of relegation.

Leicester face Sevilla in their Champions League round of 16 first leg next week, but Ranieri has reiterated that top-flight survival remains the priority.

Ahead of the fifth-round tie at the Den, he has insisted he will take full responsibility if his gamble to rotate his squad ends in humiliation.

“I will make a lot of changes – all my team will be new with 10 changes again,” he said. “Our target is Premier League, that is it. Of course we play in the FA Cup and Champions League and we want to do our best but our aim is to be safe at the end. I want to give another opportunity to the players who played against Derby [in the previous round] for them to show how good they are.

“If we win, it will be seen as OK – if we lose the manager made a mistake. I prefer to take my responsibility. I want to protect my first team every time.”

Leicester will take 3,000 fans to Millwall yet Ranieri is expected to rest striker Jamie Vardy, midfielder Riyad Mahrez and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. Daniel Amartey, Andy King, Ben Chilwell, Ahmed Musa and Yohan Benalouane are all poised for rare starts against a side unbeaten in 12 games.

“They have beaten two Premier League teams. We know this, we are the underdog. If they beat Bournemouth and Watford – they are above us,” said Ranieri.

“It’s a great opportunity for my players. We need one good result for the turning point. Now we need to stop this momentum and change our face, and everything will be fantastic.”