Thursday 31 October 2019 14:54, UK
Claudio Ranieri says Leicester striker Shinji Okazaki gives his team-mates a wake-up call with his intense playing style.
Leicester returned to winning ways in the Premier League last weekend with victory over Crystal Palace, a first league win in four outings, coincided with the Japan international being restored to the starting line-up for the first time since September 10.
The 30-year-old marked his recall by scoring his first league goal of the season in the 3-1 home success against the Eagles, but Ranieri was equally impressed with his striker's work ethic throughout the match.
"He [Okazaki] is a hard worker," said Ranieri. "Sometimes he's not so close to goal but when the ball is around the box Shinji is always there.
"He is important for team because he presses a lot - he is our dilly ding, dilly dong. He wakes up our players - he has the bell."
Okazaki has given Ranieri a welcome selection dilemma ahead of Saturday's trip to Tottenham with Jamie Vardy vying for a recall after being dropped to the bench against Palace - a performance which Ranieri described as Leicester's best of the season.
However, Ranieri admits he will have one eye on next week's Champions League clash in Copenhagen when he selects his team at White Hart Lane.
"Against Crystal Palace we went back to our old philosophy, everybody closed, everybody with the same discipline and I recognised them again," Ranieri added.
"It's important we don't go back and stay this way. But everything can affect you - it's normal. They are humans, not machines.
"I can change something, I think about both games. Let me think. It's my problem but a good problem for me. I have changed before - wait for Saturday and you will see."
Victory in Copenhagen will guarantee Leicester's passage through to the knockout stages of the Champions League in the club's maiden campaign in Europe's premier club competition.
"It is a priority," said Ranieri. "But every match is important, we want to win every game."
