Thursday 17 December 2015 20:36, UK
Leicester have been hit by the news that Jeff Schlupp could be out for around six weeks with a hamstring injury.
Left-sided Ghana international Schlupp, 22, missed the victory over Chelsea on Monday night with the problem.
He has been ruled out of the surprise Premier League leaders' festive fixtures but Foxes boss Claudio Ranieri revealed that he hoped influential central midfielder Danny Drinkwater, who limped off against Chelsea, would return after Saturday's trip to Everton.
"Schlupp is a little more serious," said Ranieri. "I don't know how long it takes - six weeks, maybe one month.
"Drinky is okay, it's a little [hamstring] problem. I don't think he will be ready for the next match but maybe the Liverpool one [on Boxing Day]."
Robert Huth's yellow card against the champions presents Ranieri with another problem as it was the defender's fifth of the campaign and he will serve a one-match suspension at Goodison Park.
And Ranieri admitted it would have to reluctantly change his team.
"When I was with Chelsea I was known as the Tinkerman," said the Italian. "Now I don't want to change. I am waiting for when people change my nickname from Tinkerman to 'Thinkerman'.
"The team plays so well so why change? But I must.
"Without Huth I have to choose between [Yohan] Benalouane and [Marcin] Wasilewski. I keep this decision to myself until the night before the match. I always choose my team the night before the game.
I am waiting for when people change my nickname from Tinkerman to 'Thinkerman"
"Both are in good condition and both train very well every day so it is not a hard decision. I am sure they will play very well.
"It is a big problem not to have Huth because Romelu Lukaku is in great form and it is important we remained concentrated because they are a good team."
Reflecting on the 2-1 success against Chelsea - which ultimately led to Jose Mourinho's departure - Ranieri said: "It was a great result. Not just for me but for the team and the fans and, of course, my staff.
"Not because it was Chelsea but because it was three points and we continue to stay top of the league and it is important for us to get 40 points - after we do that I will tell you what else we can do.
"To beat the champions is not easy, it is not possible every day. But now it is important we clear our minds and think about another difficult match at Everton."
