Leicester City vs Swansea City - Ranieri backs Mahrez and his 'Caesars' - 7M sport

Leicester City vs Swansea City - Ranieri backs Mahrez and his 'Caesars'



Posted Saturday, April 23, 2016 by PA

Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri backed Riyad Mahrez to rediscover his form and insisted his title-chasing squad of "Caesars" can cope without the suspended Jamie Vardy.

The Foxes host Swansea on Sunday five points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League with four games left and can extend their advantage to eight points with second-placed Tottenham not in action until Monday.

Algeria international Mahrez has scored just three goals in his last 17 games but bagged a hat-trick in Leicester's 3-0 win at Swansea in December, and Ranieri believes he holds the key to the Foxes' success.

"He is fantastic. Riyad is our light," the Italian said. "When he switches on, wow, Leicester change colour - that is the truth."

Vardy misses out following his dismissal in last weekend's 2-2 draw against West Ham and could be hit with a further ban depending on a Football Association hearing next week for his reaction to referee Jon Moss following his second yellow card for diving.

But Ranieri feels his team can overcome the England striker's absence.

"Without our goalscorer, it is not easy to play," the manager said. "We give, every time, the maximum but I am sure we will give a little more to win the match.

"I think I have 24 stars. I have 24 Caesars - that is our strength. There isn't one Caesar but there are the other 23."

Leonardo Ulloa, whose stoppage-time penalty salvaged a point against the Hammers, is expected to deputise for Vardy and Ranieri knows they must adapt.

"Without Vardy we have to make some other strategy," he said. "Leo deserves to play but before Leo there is the team and I think about what is the best for the team.

"You'll see on Sunday. We have to change something. With Jamie, everyone knows his movement. It could be a change of formation or players. I won't tell you."

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski says he has no qualms helping Tottenham's title ambitions.

Fabianski will be in the Swansea goal as leaders Leicester seek to steal a march in the title race.

Tottenham must watch on before their home game with West Brom on Monday night and Fabianski knows he will be in the spotlight following his seven years at Arsenal between 2007 and 2014.

"It's all right, I can't say it's tricky," Fabianski said of the position he finds himself in at the King Power Stadium.

"I don't think they (former Arsenal team-mates) would stop talking to me if we help Spurs. But if there is a favour it will be done as a team and as a club.

"We just have to go out there and do our best to get a result."

Fabianski put his Arsenal allegiance aside to stress how impressed he has been with Spurs this term.

The Poland international produced probably his best performance of the season at White Hart Lane in February when he almost kept Maurico Pochettino's side at bay single-handedly.

Fabianski made save after save before late goals from Nacer Chadli and Danny Rose gave Tottenham a 2-1 comeback win.

"It was one of the craziest games I've ever played in," he said.

"Every two minutes I had to be ready for something because they really pushed us. They are a very fit team the way they play, very offensive and nice to watch.

"You have to give them massive credit and they deserve to be challenging for the Premier League.

"If we do them a favour, it will good for the league because there will still be some important games and (it will be) close-run between the top two teams."

Jack Cork has recovered from a facial injury for Swansea.

The midfielder was dazed after being struck by the ball during last weekend's 3-0 defeat to Newcastle and sat out a training session on Tuesday as a precaution.

Leon Britton is in contention to start after missing the last two games with a back injury but head coach Francesco Guidolin is expected to keep changes to a minimum.



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