Schlupp still vital to Leicester - Claudio Ranieri

Leicester coach Claudio Ranieri is determined to keep Ghana winger Jeffrey Schlupp at the club because the versatile winger is still a valuable part of his squad.

West Brom are believed to be still interested in a January move for Schlupp, despite having had multiple bids rejected by City in the summer, the highest of which was understood to have been around £12million.

Schlupp told City at the time that he wanted to leave if he could not play more regularly but, after a meeting with boss Claudio Ranieri, was told he would be staying with the Premier League champions.

However, Schlupp has made just one Premier League start this season, with three appearances off the bench, and has not been included in City's squad for the last three Premier League games.

"Every time (I consider him for the first-team squad)," said Ranieri.

"For this reason, I leave him to play with the under-23s with other first-team players because it is important when I call on them, they must be ready to play."

Schlupp has struggled to impress, though, with his last appearance coming in the 5-0 defeat at Porto in the Champions League where he was criticised for being at fault for their first three goals.

Ranieri was asked at his press conference ahead of the Boxing Day game against Everton about whether he would let Schlupp leave the club if he wanted a move.

"We will speak," he replied.

Schlupp is expected to receive a call-up to join the Black Stars for the 2017 AFCON come January in Gabon.