Foxes in the hunt for win
Ranieri’s men aim to outshine West Brom before international break
LONDON: Leicester can end a solid week in style with a victory over West Bromwich Albion that would send them into the English Premier League’s international break on a high.
Yet for a club still making history and breaking down barriers, the Premier League champions had felt a little low heading into today’s clash with the Baggies.
A much-needed improved away performance brought a handy point in the league at Tottenham Hotspur last weekend before a creditable goalless draw in Copenhagen on Wednesday put them on the brink of the Champions League’s last 16 with a record of four group games without conceding a goal.
Yet a disjointed performance in Denmark, allied to a fractured hand that will keep goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel out for up to seven weeks, left a slightly sour taste to what should have been a pleasing run for manager Claudio Ranieri.
The Italian will now put his trust in German international Ron-Robert Zieler, who has played in the Premier League
It is a pity – Kasper was in very great condition but Zieler gives me confidence and I am very confident with him, so it’s okay. Claudio Ranieri
games against Swansea, Burnley and Manchester United as well as the English League Cup tie against Chelsea.
The 27-year-old has conceded eight goals in his last two games but he will now replace a man Ranieri rates among the best in the business.
“It is a pity – Kasper was in very great condition but Zieler gives me confidence and I am very confident with him, so it’s okay,” said Ranieri.
“It is difficult to say if Kasper is the best but for us he is the best. Kasper is very important for my team.
“He had an operation last night and the surgeon said everything is okay,” added the Italian. “Now it depends on how long.
“I don’t put a deadline on it because every man is different. Maybe two, three, five, six maybe seven weeks – I don’t know.
“Kasper wants to play on Sunday! But that is normal.”
Ranieri made several changes in Copenhagen but is expected to revert to a more familiar Premier League line-up to take on Tony Pulis’ West Brom.
Record-signing Islam Slimani could come into contention after returning to training following a groin injury but Shinji Okazaki made an impressive case to keep his place alongside Jamie Vardy in attack when he scored and played well in victory over Crystal Palace in Leicester’s last Premier League game.