Ranieri To Assess Drinkwater Fitness

- Claudio Ranieri will assess the midfielder’s fitness ahead of the clash with Everton 

- City will be without the suspended Jamie Vardy, Robert Huth and Christian Fuchs on Boxing Day 

Claudio Ranieri will check on the fitness of Danny Drinkwater ahead of Leicester City’s Boxing Day clash with Everton at King Power Stadium. 

Drinkwater has not featured since the UEFA Champions League encounter with FC Porto on Wednesday 7 December. 

After training on Thursday, the midfielder could potentially make a return, but Ranieri revealed he will be assessed in the days leading up to the fixture against Everton. 

“[Danny] Drinkwater started the training session with us for the first time,” Ranieri told the media on Thursday. “Let me see with the rest of the players what will happen. 

“If there is a risk, he doesn’t train or stay with us. Of course without playing and training for a long time, let me see in the other training sessions and I’ll decide with the medical staff.” 

While Jamie Vardy will sit out City’s next three fixtures following his red card against Stoke City, Robert Huth and Christian Fuchs picked up their fifth bookings of the season and are also suspended. 

But Ranieri says he has plenty of talented players at his disposal and knows those called upon will give their all against the Toffees. 

Ranieri added: “Of course we lose three men and maybe Drinkwater – four men. When I say I have a good squad with good players it’s true. I’m sure the players that play with the first XI, I’m sure they’ll give us 100 per cent. 

“Of course we have to change but I’m very pleased with my players because also last season when Jamie didn’t play we scored four goals. There was a fantastic ambience to the stadium and with the support of our fans I’m sure we’ll have a very good match. 

“This is a very good opportunity for the players who aren’t used to playing to show and link together very well.”