Ranieri wants Foxes fighting spirit in absence of stars

Leicester City manager, Claudio Ranieri has called upon his side to show their fighting spirit as they clash with league leaders Chelsea on Saturday.

The Foxes are in Premier League action for the first time since Riyad Mahrez, Islam Slimani and Daniel Amartey departed for the Africa Cup of Nations, but Ranieri says his side are well-prepared for the clash with the Blues

Antonio Conte’s men sit five points clear at the top of the table and after a shock loss to Tottenham Hotspur in their last league outing, ex-Chelsea boss Ranieri knows the London outfit will want to return to winning ways.

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Ranieri said: “I expect a strong reaction from them. They are old champions and they want to make up for defeat.”

“Of course we’d like all the competition in the normal time. But I understand when there are European cups or American cups, it’s difficult to play in summer.”

Ranieri may be without some of his African players for as long as four weeks which would see them miss out on a crucial FA Cup fourth round tie away at Derby County.

“When we lose our important players, it’s not good, but when all the teams lose players, it’s okay,” added Ranieri.

“We prepared very well. In the first match without Riyad and Islam, we won in the FA Cup against Everton. Now, we have to show the same attitude and strength against Chelsea.”