Survival, glory in one season

– Leicester’s clash with Stoke today marks the beginning of another potentially historic month for the champions as they target domestic survival and shock European glory.

Eight games are ahead in a busy period for Craig Shakespeare’s rejuvenated side, who continue to combine their fight against Premier League relegation with a quest for further surprises in the Champions League.

Stoke’s visit to the King Power Stadium is followed by another key home game against Sunderland on Tuesday, with the Champions League quarterfinal against Atletico Madrid also looming.

And Leicester winger Marc Albrighton (above) believes his team, six points above the relegation zone, will enter the momentous period in good shape after the international break.

“The lads were ready for a break and we’ve got a lot of games this coming month,” he said.

Since the controversial sacking of Claudio Ranieri, Shakespeare has overseen four wins in his four games in charge by returning to the line-up that won the club the title last season.

Ninth-placed Stoke have the far more modest goal of finishing above West Bromwich Albion, who are a place and seven points in front of them.

Striker Saido Berahino, midfielders Joe Allen and Giannelli Imbula, and winger Xherdan Shaqiri have all been brought in over recent transfer windows.

“But we are always looking at the opportunities on how we can improve on what we’ve got,” CEO Tony Scholes added.

He said other players could be near the end of their Stoke careers with Glen Johnson, Phil Bardsley, Shay Given and Stephen Ireland all out of contract. –

Leicester