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Leicester City: Shinji Okazaki ready for Tottenham call

By Thomas Atzenhoffer

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Shinji Okazaki of Leicester City celebrates scoring his sides first 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 sides first 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) /
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Leicester City have seen their share of troubles on the road this season and their trip to Tottenham’s White Hart Lane this weekend is certain to mount a significant challenge.

With every challenge comes the opportunity for those that are ready and willing to fight for the Leicester shirt to stand up.

One such player that is again hoping to see his name on the first team sheet is Japanese forward Shinji Okazaki.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND – MARCH 14: Shinji Okazaki of Leicester City (front) celebrates as he scores their first goal with an overhead kick during the Barclays Premier League match between Leicester City and Newcastle United at The King Power Stadium on March 14, 2016 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – MARCH 14: Shinji Okazaki of Leicester City (front) celebrates as he scores their first goal with an overhead kick during the Barclays Premier League match between Leicester City and Newcastle United at The King Power Stadium on March 14, 2016 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /

Last week he scored a brilliant goal against Crystal Palace but could have had even more had his shooting boots been all the way sharpened.

However, he has lacked a bit of first team action this season as a summer of signing new forwards has seen him have a battle on his hands to regain his first team place.

Related Story: Leicester City's Ballon d'Or Superstars

With their likely to be another shake up in the first team squad with he Foxes returning to UEFA Champions League action this coming week, Okazaki will be hopeful of keeping his place from last week.

Speaking to the Leicester Mercury ahead of the match the Japanese hit man is working hard to keep his name in the starting eleven:

"“I want to play every game but we have many good strikers.When I don’t play I’m not disappointed because we have good players.”"

With fellow striker Jamie Vardy having been named to the Ballon d’Or short list this week, it is more apparent than ever that their is a battle for first team action with the striking talent of Leicester.

But, that competition for places does not scare Okazaki away from working hard:

"“I just try harder in training and continue to work to improve every day. I was relieved to score. I want to score in every game and every game I don’t score, I’m disappointed.I believe in myself and I am a striker, but I run hard for the team and do everything to support my team-mates. When I score, I’m happy.”"

Why shouldn’t he be happy, there is every reason that he should be expecting to put more smiles on both his face and those of the Leicester fans as he is certain to be a goal threat against Spurs this weekend if he gets the nod.

Okazaki has also proven to be a thorn in the side of Tottenham with his FA Cup goal against them last season.

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