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Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri plays down Jamie Vardy's omission from the start against Crystal Palace

Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri insisted Jamie Vardy was rested rather than dropped against Crystal Palace.

The England striker was a substitute for Saturday's 3-1 win over Palace and has now failed to score in his last 10 appearances for club and country.

Vardy, who scored 24 goals in last season's title-winning campaign, came on as a second-half replacement as Ahmed Musa, Shinji Okazaki and Christian Fuchs wrapped up the Foxes' first Premier League victory for over a month.

Claudio Ranieri tinkered with Leicester's starting line-up in the 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace
Claudio Ranieri tinkered with Leicester's starting line-up in the 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace
Ranieri has far more firepower at his disposal this campaign after Islam Slimani's arrival
Ranieri has far more firepower at his disposal this campaign after Islam Slimani's arrival

It was the first time since March 2015 Vardy did not start a Premier League game when available but Ranieri wanted to keep him fresh as the Foxes juggle their Champions League campaign having beaten Copenhagen 1-0 last week.