Claudio Ranieri is ready to rest Jamie Vardy and hopes Leicester’s title rivals suffer a burn-out.

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The Foxes boss would be prepared to give their 15-goal top scorer a break after he has played through injury and illness this season. Vardy has shaken off a recent virus but has also played with a broken wrist and an ankle problem this season. 

He is set to start in Saturday’s game against Bournemouth with Leicester second in the Premier League, but Ranieri will give the 28-year-old a breather soon.

He said: “Yes, when I think it’s the right moment to give him a rest I’ll give it to him. At the moment he doesn’t need one yet. Now it’s important to carry on with him.

“Jamie had a little problem for one or two months and of course he didn’t train every day. The last days he’s had a fever and he’s not 100 per cent.”

Meanwhile, Bournemouth have wasted no time making their first move in the transfer window with the loan capture of winger Juan Iturbe from Roma.

The 22-year-old, an Argentina Under-20 international, joins Eddie Howe’s team for the rest of the season subject to endorsement from the Football Association and a work permit. Bournemouth have the option of making the move permanent in the summer for an undisclosed fee. 

Iturbe, who has scored three goals in 39 league appearances for Roma, had been heavily linked with a move to the south coast.