Sunderland v Leicester City: Title-chasing Schmeichel of '˜tough, tough' Cats challenge

The Midlands side secured Premier League safety with a point at the Stadium of Light last May, but they, after an incredible campaign, have a first ever top-flight title in their sights this time round.

Schmeichel has enjoyed four successive clean sheets to help Leicester to a string of vital 1-0 victories, leaving them just 12 points short of the title, with six matches to go.

Leicester are not yet thinking of potential glory days, though.

Schmeichel, 29, said: “If we start looking ahead to after Sunderland this Sunday we are not going to put our full focus on Sunderland, which we need to do. That’s a tough, tough game.

“It is just the whole mentality of taking one game as it comes. We are under no pressure at all. This is great.”

Leicester will come north in great spirits, having edged out Southampton last weekend despite never nearing their best form.

The Danish keeper secured his 13th clean sheet in the league, a record matched only by Joe Hart at Manchester City.

He has been thrilled with the defensive work of his team-mates this season, never more so than against the Saints. He added to lcfc.com: “I didn’t have a great deal to do against Southampton. Again my defence was absolutely magnificent.

“They absorbed so much pressure and took so many beatings in there, they are all fantastic.

“We defend as a team and we are tough to break down. They are an absolute privilege to play behind, those boys.

“They throw their bodies in the way of everything and give us the best opportunity to go and win games.

“Building a good foundation with clean sheets is obviously a great start. For me they are a pleasure to play behind.”

Meanwhile, winger Marc Albrighton has urged his team-mates to stay calm and focused, despite the excitement of the title push.

“We are just doing everything we have been doing to get into this position and we don’t see any need to change that,” said the former Aston Villa man.

“We have to continue to do that because it has got us in this position. If we continue to keep our feet on the ground and take each day and each game as it comes, then we won’t go far wrong.

“It is five in the last six games now we have won 1-0, and it is credit to us that we have found other ways to win.

“Teams are playing differently against us and most games haven’t been as open for us to exploit the space, but it doesn’t matter how we do it, we just want to keep putting these points on the board.”

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