Shakespeare Ready For Crystal Palace

- Craig Shakespeare says Leicester City's focus is solely on overcoming Crystal Palace on Saturday 

- The Foxes have a crucial few weeks ahead on two fronts - but need points in the Premier League 

- Shakespeare insists City are aware of Palace's main threats ahead of the clash at Selhurst Park 

- The Leicester boss worked with Eagles counterpart Sam Allardyce during his time with England 

Craig Shakespeare has stressed the importance of remaining level headed with to face Sam Allardyce's Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon. 

Despite defeats to Everton last Sunday in the Premier League and Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final first-leg three days later, optimism remains high in the Foxes camp ahead of the trip to London to face a Palace side rejuvenated under Allardyce’s guidance. 

On Tuesday night, there is the small matter of a home second leg clash with Atlético for a place in the final four of European football's platinum club competition but Shakespeare insists City’s focus is solely on emerging from the capital with their 11th victory of the 2016/17 Premier League campaign. 

“I think in terms of winning and the good run, you try and keep level headed, keep your feet on the ground and not get too high,” the Leicester boss said on Friday. “My experience in football is to not get too low for the right reason. And I’ve seen enough in the last few games to be encouraged.” 

Shakespeare, who briefly worked under Allardyce with England last year, says he is fully aware of the hurdles City will have to leap if they are to take three points back with them to Filbert Way on Saturday evening. 

Also discussing the fixture congestion this month, he added: “We need to be competitive against a real competitive Palace team. I’m thinking that we still need the points as I always do and it’ll be a really tough challenge. We know the congestion. We’ve planned for it. 

“Other teams have to deal with it at certain times as well, but it’s our turn to deal with it now. If I think [rotating] is the right thing to do in terms of utilising the squad I will. It’s a big turnaround in games and sometimes they’re enforced. Players may be playing with little niggles and you have to make sure you protect them, sometimes it’s tactical."