Jamie Vardy has been ruled a doubt for Leicester City's top-of-the-table clash with Manchester City on Tuesday night.

The Premier League's top scorer was brought off in the 69th minute of the Boxing Day loss to Liverpool after playing with a fever.

Foxes manager Claudio Ranieri, who decided to start Vardy anyway, later told reporters: "I have to look at Jamie Vardy over the next three days and see if his reaction is good or not.

"He played with a fever. I didn't want to give him more minutes. I wanted to preserve him."

Riyad Mahrez was also taken off before 90 minutes had elapsed due to fatigue, but Ranieri insisted that his squad would be up for the fight for the crucial encounter in the East Midlands.

"We have another big rock against us but it is okay, we are ready," he added. "Now we have to clean our minds and restart. The players don't like losing and that is good. I love this spirit."

Manuel Pellegrini's men will go above current leaders Leicester in the table on goal difference should they secure three points on Tuesday, although Arsenal will have already have taken over at the summit if they see off Bournemouth on Monday.