Claudio Ranieri confident Danny Drinkwater will regain England place

Image: Danny Drinkwater was left out of England's squad for Euro 2016

Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri believes playing Champions League football will help Danny Drinkwater to force his way into the England team.

The 26-year-old was left out of England's Euro 2016 squad by former manager Roy Hodgson despite starring for the Foxes in their Premier League title-winning campaign.

Hogdson made the controversial decision to take Jack Wilshere after the Arsenal midfielder played just 144 minutes last season and he is injured again ahead of the Gunners' trip to the Foxes on Saturday.

Former England striker Alan Shearer believes Drinkwater deserved a place in the squad for Euro 2016

But Ranieri believes Drinkwater can convince new England boss Sam Allardyce to pick him with dominant displays in the Champions League.

"Danny is a fantastic midfielder. He can now show his quality in the Champions League, I'm very happy with him," he said.

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"The biggest difference from Latin players to English players is this, maybe the Latin players slow down, are very disappointed and don't react immediately, the English players after one hour say 'come on, react' and they react.

"I think if the player has a very good Champions League then maybe. Maybe he has a good chance. That would be a very good show against the best teams in Europe."

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An update on the futures of Leicester's key players Riyad Mahrez, Kasper Schmeichel and Drinkwater

Ranieri is yet to speak to Allardyce, who replaced Hodgson after he quit following England's 2-1 second round defeat to Iceland in June, but expects to talk to the 61-year-old soon and believes he will enjoy the role.

He added: "Not yet, but yes I hope that I will. It'll be a fantastic experience."

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