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Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri ready to rest Jamie Vardy

Jamie Vardy of Leicester City celebrates
Image: Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri says he will rest Jamie Vardy when the time is right

Claudio Ranieri says he will rest star striker Jamie Vardy when the time is right after a successful but gruelling 2015.

The Foxes boss revealed he is prepared to give the club's 15-goal top-scorer a break after he has played through injury and illness this season.

Vardy has shaken off a recent virus but has also played with a broken wrist and an ankle problem this term.

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri congratulates Jamie Vardy during the game at Newcastle
Image: Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri congratulates Jamie Vardy after he scres at Newcastle

He is set to start in Saturday's game against Bournemouth, with Leicester second in the Premier League, but Ranieri says he will give the 28-year-old a breather soon.

He said: "Yes, when I think it's the right moment to give him a rest I'll give it to him. At the moment he doesn't need one yet. Now it's important to carry on with him.

"Jamie had a little problem for one or two months and of course he didn't train every day. The last days he's had a fever and he's not 100 per cent.

Vardy, Mahrez 'going nowhere'
Vardy, Mahrez 'going nowhere'

Leicester's Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez going nowhere, says Claudio Ranieri

"This is another aspect, everyone is saying 'top of the league, top of the league' but we are running a lot. Now we must continue at this top level because when we put the other teams under pressure we are very dangerous but we have to run.

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"We can continue at this level but one thing is to not be relegated and one thing is to be at the top of the league."

Title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal face Champions League ties with Dynamo Kiev and Barcelona respectively when that competition resumes in February, while City also have a League Cup semi-final against Stoke to contest.

Raheem Sterling of Manchester City battles with Danny Simpson of Leicester City
Image: Leicester lead Manchester City by three points in the Premier League

Leicester only have the league and FA Cup to focus on and Ranieri wants the games to pile up on their competitors.

He added: "This is good for us because big teams play in a lot of competitions: the Champions League, the FA Cup, League Cup and Premier League. I want them to continue to win in the Champions League until the end."

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