Friday 8 January 2016 15:54, UK
Leicester City will not rush Jamie Vardy back into action after the striker underwent successful groin surgery.
The Premier League's joint leading goalscorer had a small procedure and could be back within the prescribed 10-day period of recovery.
But manager Claudio Ranieri may not risk him for the league game against Tottenham, which comes three days after the sides meet in the FA Cup third round, despite the game being significant to the Foxes' title bid.
"He's okay," said Ranieri of Vardy. "Today Jamie is working with the physio, and he should be okay for the league game [against Tottenham].
"I say to my physio I do not want to lose him for a long time. If he is ready for the second Tottenham game, it's okay. If not - Aston Villa."
Ranieri once again played down Leicester's title chances, insisting they are not among the "best teams" in the league and suggesting they need to make further improvements if they are to challenge for silverware.
I say to my physio I do not want to lose him for a long time. If he is ready for the second Tottenham game, it's okay. If not - Aston Villa.
"I say the first half of the season we reach 39 points," he said. "I want to improve in every moment, and then if we make 39, and we want to improve, then we need to make 40; 40 plus 39 is 79.
"I know it is very difficult but we will try. At this moment we have nothing to lose - only to improve, achieve, this is exciting."
"We have to fight to improve, in every training session. We aren't the best. The best teams are [Manchester] City, Liverpool, Arsenal but I don't want to say all.
"It's my first six months that I am working with them. We have to improve a lot. We already improve, but we need more, I believe."
