Claudio Ranieri was absolutely delighted for Leicester City's newest international hopefuls Danny Drinkwater and N'Golo Kanté.

The defensive midfield duo received their first national team call-ups for England and France respectively on Thursday as reward for their fantastic performances for the Premier League title favourites this season.

After hearing the news, Ranieri spoke glowingly of Drinkwater and Kanté who have both come of age under the guidance of the Italian.

"I am pleased, all his team-mates are pleased today, it's good because that means we are working well and he deserves it because during all the season he's playing very well, very solid, good quality, now he also starts to score goals, that's good," Ranieri told the club's official website of Drinkwater.

"Roy [Hodgson] follows us so many matches and then maybe he wants to feel and know him better, maybe he can bring him to the European Championship finals.

"He's always available for his team-mates, to close the triangles, to ask for the ball, to have a personality.

"There is a very good partnership with Kanté, they switch together, they understand together, and it's solid and strong."

On former Caen midfielder Kanté , he added: "I'm happy because [Didier] Deschamps has very good midfielders, but I think he also wants to understand what Kanté can do.

"This is good for everybody, because they are young and have a very good experience.

"The France squad is good. It's important also Deschamps tries him and he understands how he can link with the other midfielders."