Claudio Ranieri: 'N'Golo Kante deserves warm reception from Leicester City fans'

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has called on the club's supporters to applaud N'Golo Kante on his return to the King Power Stadium.

Kante played a key role as Leicester won the Premier League title last season but earlier this summer, he was a high-profile departure as he left for Chelsea.

The midfielder will make his return to the East Midlands on Tuesday evening as the Blues face the Foxes in the EFL Cup, and Ranieri is keen for his former player to receive a warm reception.

The Italian told reporters: "Maybe he was more important for us than Chelsea because Chelsea have so many defensive midfielders.

"I saw him in the last matches and he played just in front of the defensive line to recover balls. With us, he did another kind of job.

"I am happy to welcome him back and I'm sure our fans appreciate what he did last season and give him a warm welcome back. Clap him at the beginning but then he is an enemy."

Kante made a total of 39 appearances for Leicester.