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Leicester City: Claudio Ranieri talks Shinji Okazaki ahead of Tottenham

By Thomas Atzenhoffer

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 22: Shinji Okazaki of Leicester City celebrates scoring his sides second goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Crystal Palace at The King Power Stadium on October 22, 2016 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 22: Shinji Okazaki of Leicester City celebrates scoring his sides second goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Crystal Palace at The King Power Stadium on October 22, 2016 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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Leicester City travel to London this weekend for an all important clash with Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.

Leicester have failed to truly find their feet during away matches this season and a trip to nine game unbeaten Tottenham will be a stern test of their will.

The last time Tottenham won the English title was in 1961-62 and they were undefeated for 16 games at the start of their season and Mauricio Pochettino will be looking to spur on his Spurs against the struggling visitors.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Shinji Okazaki of Leicester City celebrates scoring his and his sides second goal during the EFL Cup Third Round match between Leicester City and Chelsea at The King Power Stadium on September 20, 2016 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 20: Shinji Okazaki of Leicester City celebrates scoring his and his sides second goal during the EFL Cup Third Round match between Leicester City and Chelsea at The King Power Stadium on September 20, 2016 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

Claudio Ranieri looks like he is prioritizing the UEFA Champions League at the moment over the Premier League. The Italian knows a win in the coming midweek will see the Foxes advance to the knockout round after only four matches and he is likely to rest some of his key starters.

With that being said it is highly likely that forward Shinji Okazaki will be returning to the first team in London after his previous excellent league performance at home last weekend.

Speaking ahead of the match to LCFC TV, Ranieri was quick to point out the Japanese attackers importance to the club:

"“He is a hard worker – sometimes he’s not so close to goal but when the ball is around the box Shinji is always there.He is important for team because he presses a lot – he is our dilly ding, dilly dong. He wakes up our players – he has the bell!”"

Okazaki has looked in fine form the few times he has appeared this season and he could offer a great change of pace against Tottenham as he offers a different kind of threat than Jamie Vardy.

Likewise, it looks as though Ahmed Musa could become a more used option if he remains open to play on the wings.

This weekend is certainly a must win for the Foxes as they desperately need to start stringing together some league results away from home.

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