Ranieri Confirms Squad Fitness

- Only Matty James is set to miss the clash with a knee injury 

- The Foxes head to Stoke City in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday 

Ahead of Leicester City’s Barclays Premier League trip to Stoke City on Saturday, manager Claudio Ranieri gave an update on the fitness of his squad. 

The Foxes are without any fresh injury worries as they head to the Britannia Stadium to take on a Potters side that are yet to register a victory this campaign after a difficult start to the 2015/16 season. 

Meanwhile, City are in irresistible form having won three and drawn two out of their first five Premier League fixtures, as well as advancing to the third round of the Capital One Cup with a 4-1 victory in the second round over Bury. 

And as Ranieri’s outfit prepare to play three fixtures in eight days, only midfielder Matty James, who returned to light training last week, will be unavailable for the clash due to his knee problem. 

Ranieri said: “Everybody is in very good condition, but we have this match, on Tuesday another match and on Saturday another match. Everybody will play. 

“At the moment, no [there are no new injury problems]. Also, Nathan Dyer is okay – his head is okay – and I hope everybody is good to play on Saturday.” 

On Saturday, City lock horns with a Stoke side who have so far taken on the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, and currently occupy 18th position in the Premier League table. 

Ranieri added: “They haven’t won yet but they’re a very good team with good quality players and a good manager. Beware, because it’s a difficult match on Saturday for us. 

“When you change something, it’s difficult to start well. I’m surprised, because Stoke have very good quality players, so sooner or later they’ll start to win – I hope after Saturday of course! 

“I don’t know if it’s the best moment [to play Stoke] because the best moment for us is what we did. Now, in the future, you don’t know. It’s important for us to go there very concentrated and keep our feet on the ground. We have to be very focused, concentrated and motivated.”