Strength In Depth Pleases Ranieri

- City boss pleased with fitness progression of Leonardo Ulloa 

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

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri says he is happy with the extensive player options in his squad as he prepares his men for their Barclays Premier League trip to Bournemouth on Saturday. 

The City boss has fielded a balanced blend of players in the Foxes’ opening four fixtures of the 2015/16 campaign. 

Ranieri has stuck with the same starting XI for his side’s first three Premier League games before making 11 changes for the Capital One Cup Second Round win at Bury on Tuesday. 

Assessing his midfield options, Ranieri said: “Gökhan Inler has played, also Kanté has played, Drinkwater has played and King has played (this season). It’s a good selection. All the managers have some problems when they don’t have enough players to choose. 

“The big problem is when you don’t have people to put in the position because maybe they’re injured or suspended. That is the problem. 

“When you have all 25 it’s okay, it’s not the manager’s problem, and maybe it’ll be the players’ problem. Only the first 11 are happy. If the others are happy, they’re crazy.” 

The match against Bury saw debutant Joe Dodoo net a hat-trick on his debut for the Club, but also heavily involved in the win was striker Leonardo Ulloa. 

The Argentine frontman bagged three assists in the victory at Gigg Lane, and Ranieri went on to note the significant improvement in Ulloa’s fitness since first watching him in pre-season. 

“At the beginning of pre-season, he didn’t do too well with his fitness, he needed some more [games],” Ranieri added. 

“Now he feels good and I saw him play very well. He fights in all the matches – that’s good for him and good for me.”