Ranieri, Kane named Manager, player of the Month

Claudio Ranieri has landed his second Manager of the Month award after steering Leicester to the brink of Premier League glory.

The Italian's Foxes have a seven-point lead at the top of the table with just six games left to play - and they have hit form at the right time in the season.

March brought a run of three clean sheets - which would later be extended to four inside April - and 10 points from a possible 12.

A series of 1-0 victories over Watford, Newcastle and Crystal Palace ensured that Leicester continued to extend their lead over their title rivals.

The 2-2 draw with West Brom at the start of the month even proved to be valuable as it came on a week where all of their closest competitors were defeated.

Ranieri has hailed the achievement of his side as "magical" but insists that there is still plenty of work to do.

After the recent win over Southampton, he said: “We believe it's a magical season. Next season it will not be the same and so we try to do our best. We had to fight to win 1-0.

“When they give me everything, their heart and soul, I'm happy. We believe in what we are doing. It's important to win because it was a good answer to the Premier League.

“Everyone was waiting for us after the draw between Liverpool and Tottenham and we gave a very good answer.”

Meanwhile, Harry Kane has claimed the Player of the Month gong.

The Tottenham hotshot, who will still be hoping to close the gap on Leicester, scored five Premier League goals during March.

He netted a wonder strike in the derby against Arsenal before bagging braces in the wins over Aston Villa and Bournemouth.

Kane now has 22 league goals this season, three more than Jamie Vardy, as he closes in on the coveted golden boot award.

The England international was accused of being a 'one-year wonder' after his breakthrough campaign last year and he admits that those jibes have made success this season even sweeter.

“Yes there was a lot of talk at the start of the season (about a one season wonder) but I have a lot of self-belief, I believe in my ability,” he explained.