Claudio Ranieri would not stand in way of Andrej Kramaric loan away from Leicester

Andrej Kramaric is expected to leave the club on loan during the winter transfer window

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri would not stand in the way of Andrej Kramaric leaving the club on loan in the winter transfer window.

Sky sources understand a number of Premier League clubs would be interested in taking him for the rest of the season and Sampdoria's interest was reported in December.

The Croatia striker joined the Foxes from HNK Rijeka in a £9m deal in January 2014, signing a three-and-a-half-year deal, but he has struggled to establish himself in the first team.

And Ranieri said: "If he stays I think he loses another six months."

"I spoke with him and if he wants to say I will be very happy, because I think he is a fantastic striker, who scores goals."

"But in my team it is difficult because I prefer Leonardo Ulloa, Jamie Vardy and Shinji Okazaki as the three strikers."

"Kramaric has only played a few minutes so far."

Kramaric has made just two substitute appearances in the Premier League this season and five appearances overall.