Zimpapers Logo

LEICESTER. — Claudio Ranieri believes Jamie Vardy and his Leicester team-mates have been revitalised just in time for their crunch English Premier League soccer clashes with Manchester City and Arsenal.

Ranieri’s shock table-toppers travel to City on Saturday before facing Arsenal with their confidence sky-high after underlining their title credentials with an impressive 2-0 win over Liverpool at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday night.

Vardy added to his growing reputation with two goals, including a 30-yard wonder-strike, that took his tally for the season to 18 and emphasised his own return to form following groin surgery at the start of January.

“It was an unbelievable pass from Riyad Mahrez and unbelievable what Vardy did,” Leicester boss Ranieri said of the opening goal.

“He watched the ball arriving, watched the opponent and watched the keeper.

“He looked at the keeper out of the goal and hit it.

“It was unbelievable, amazing, fantastic.

“Now it is one month more or less since he restarted training.

“Before that he didn’t train. He played matches without training and that’s not easy.

“He continued to score but slowly he slowed down.

“Now he is refreshed, he is a new Vardy, he presses a lot and he scores goals.”

Leicester rested at the weekend following their exit from the FA Cup and produced an energetic display to beat Liverpool and move three points clear of second placed Manchester City ahead of their summit meeting.

After a slump over Christmas, Leicester once again look capable of maintaining their incredible bid to win the English title and Ranieri sees no reason why they can’t keep it up.

“In training sessions I saw my players refreshed,” said Ranieri.

“After Christmas we were a little tired but now they’re getting better. — AFP.