Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has claimed that his players are "scared" of giving away penalties when defending set pieces this season.

Referees have clamped down on contact inside the area this term, something which has coincided with the Foxes giving away more goals from set pieces.

Ranieri admitted that his side were conceding too many goals and urged his players to revert to their defensive form that helped them to a remarkable title success last season.

"We are conceding goals – too many. Yes, a lot of goals. I spoke to players yesterday and they were scared," he told reporters.

"We watched the goals and what was being said by the pundits and I agree with it 100%. What the referees are speaking about is not a new rule, it's something we're used to doing.

"I said to them 'why change?' Last season we were one of best in league and conceded very few goals from set pieces. Now we are leaving four metres. We have to go back to our strength."

Leicester have conceded four goals in a game on three separate occasions already this season.