Leicester striker Jamie Vardy close to return after minor groin surgery

Jamie Vardy is back training with Leicester City but Claudio Ranieri will wait until Tuesday to decide the Premier League top-scorer’s involvement in the match against Tottenham. “If we show after 20 games we’re capable of being in the top four, at the end of the season why can’t we stay in that place with the same players?”

The visitors then took the lead when Okazaki, who was introduced at half-time, scored just two minutes into the second period to put the visitors ahead, jinking past three Tottenham defenders before sliding the ball past Michel Vorm at the second attempt.

For one, it’s another goal for Tottenham’s talisman, his 14th for the club so far this season in all competitions. “Ryan Mason and Clinton [Njie] are out”, Pochettino was quoted as saying by the club’s official feed.

The two sides drew 1-1 when they met in August with Riyad Mahrez rescuing a point for the Foxes, a minute after Deli Alli had opened the scoring for Spurs.

Implying that the 29-year-old had been suffering from his groin injury “for a month and a half”, Ranieri seemed increasingly confident about throwing the speedy striker’s name into the mix for the mouth-watering Premier League clash. Tottenham have only lost twice this year, but they have drawn a league high nine times. “We respect the competition a lot”, Pochettino said. Tottenham’s has been their high pressing and ability to control games. Spurs do have a great back up in Vorm but Lloris will be a much welcome change.

“Tottenham are very strong in all the areas”, said Ranieri, who will face Pochettino for the second time in the space of four days following Sunday’s FA Cup third-round tie at White Hart Lane.

After 20 games of the season, Spurs are being talked about as possible contenders for a maiden Premier League title after taking 10 points from a possible 12 over the festive schedule, more than any other team. If he can help Spurs control the space on counter attacks, it will go a long way to Spurs winning this match.

Ranieri is set to be without a key man with Jamie Vardy ruled out. Without the Englishman, Claudio Ranieri will be missing a big cog in his attack. “Another game is tough for us, but also for them”.