Foxes’ Ranieri fully behind Zieler after Schmeichel injury

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri is completely confident in Ron-Robert Zieler’s ability to step up to the plate following the injury to first-choice goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

Zieler was bought by the Foxes in the summer and came on to replace Schmeichel in August in a 2-1 victory against Swansea City.

The German has made two Premier League and an EFL Cup start and will be back in action after Schmeichel fractured his hand against FC Copenhagen in midweek.

And Ranieri wasn’t putting a deadline on the Danish goalkeeper’s return after his operation despite his importance to the Leicester City team.

“I’m confident with [Ron-Robert] Zieler so it’s okay. Kasper [Schmeichel] was in very good condition but also Zieler gives me all the confidence,” he said.

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“The surgeon said everything is okay. Now it depends how long.

“Of course he (Schmeichel) is not so happy. It’s normal and when you’re in fantastic form you hope you don’t get injured. He made a good save and punched the ball but it’s unbelievable he didn’t feel anything.

“I don’t want to put a deadline (on Schmeichel’s return) because every man is different. Maybe two, three, five, six or maybe seven weeks – I don’t know.”