Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has said he wants his side to be "very, very hungry" when they play Norwich City at the weekend (27 February) after the league leaders lost to Arsenal following a last-gasp goal in their previous Premier League outing.

City were beaten 2-1 by title rivals Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on 14 February, thanks to a stoppage-time effort from England striker Danny Welbeck, and Ranieri is demanding more focus from his team when they host Norwich. The players took a break last week and Ranieri believes they are ready to take on the Canaries, who are down in 17th place.

"They are refreshed, and they are ready for the last fight. I told them also it was easier the match against Arsenal than the match against Norwich. It will be a very big battle on Saturday and we must concentrate," said Ranieri at a news conference in tLeicester.

"I want to see my players concentrate and very, very hungry because we lost the [Arsenal] match at the last second," the Italian added.

Ranieri said Leicester's chances of winning the league for the first time in their history could hinge on their next five fixtures. They face West Bromwich Albion, Watford, Newcastle United and Crystal Palace after the Norwich encounter.

"Now we have a block until 19th of March, five matches, three at home, two away and that I think this could be the key of our season," Ranieri said.

"We have to fight against teams who are very, very close to the relegation, these teams who want to go in Europe or want to win the Premier League and then there is a very good battle now, it's a very good Premier League this season because nobody can say 'yes, that's it' and I think it is very interesting," he added.

Midfielder Jeffrey Schlupp could feature for the first time since 5 December, after recovering from a hamstring injury. New signing Daniel Amartey, who joined from Copenhagen in January, is also fit.

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