Football
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Claudio Ranieri wants Islam Slimani to merit 'Dragon Slayer' nickname

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri wants Islam Slimani to live up to his billing as the "Dragon Slayer" when the Foxes host Porto in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Slimani, 28, picked up the nickname at former club Sporting Lisbon, having scored five goals in his last three games against Porto, who are called the Dragons.

The Algeria international scored twice on his Premier League debut for Leicester -- a 3-0 win over Burnley -- and while Ranieri was unaware of his nickname, he knows the striker has previous form against Porto.

"He's a goal scorer and has scored a lot of goals against Porto and I'm sure he'll be a threat to them," Ranieri said. "Slimani scores so many times against Porto I am thinking if he's going to play or not!

"Yes, I spoke with him about Porto. We have a lot of respect for Porto, they are a more experienced team in Europe than us. They have played so many matches in the Champions League and are used to staying at the top of their league and have won six titles in the last 10 years. We respect them a lot but we also try to win. Both teams want to win.''

Leicester won their opening Champions League game 3-0 at Club Brugge two weeks ago -- as Porto drew 1-1 with FC Copenhagen -- after a 4-1 defeat to Liverpool.

This time, they head into the game having lost 4-1 to Manchester United after conceding three goals from corners.

Referees have been told to stamp down on holding and grappling in the box this season and while Ranieri insisted it is not a new rule, he admitted his players are now scared about conceding penalties.

Turkish official Cuneyt Cakir, who takes charge on Tuesday, has handed out 11 yellow cards and one red in his last two games.

"Yes, we concede a lot of goals,'' Ranieri said. "I spoke to the players yesterday and they were scared. What the referees speak about is not a new rule, it's something we're used to doing. I said why change?

"Last season we were one of best in the league and conceded very few goals from the set pieces and now we leave four metres. Now I can't jump? We have to go back to our strengths.''

Kasper Schmeichel could return for Leicester on Tuesday after a muscle strain, but Nampalys Mendy continues to be sidelined with an ankle injury, although he could be available for Sunday's Premier League game against Southampton.

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