Jeffrey Schlupp the youthful power giving Leicester's title bid a little extra gas

Considering Claudio Ranieri has seldom changed his Leicester side since finding the winning formula, Jeffrey Schlupp's inclusion at the expense of Marc Albrighton for the crucial game against Swansea was something of a statement.

Schlupp had not started a game since November 7 but the absence of Jamie Vardy from the point of Leicester's attack meant a reshuffle and although Leo Ulloa stepped in up front Ranieri reasoned his team needed to compensate for speed.

Albrighton has been the epitome of reliability this season but his feet are not as quick as Schlupp's and in hindsight it is clear to see what Ranieri calculated. Schlupp was terrific, carrying the ball over distance and pinning Swansea's defence back to create space in midfield.

Jeffrey Schlupp has been one of Leicester City's unsung heroes in their fairytale Premier League campaign

Schlupp was a surprise inclusion in the Foxes' line-up against Swansea on Sunday afternoon but impressed

Schlupp's speed and dribbling abilities proved a major factor in Leicester's emphatic 4-0 win at home

It was the kind of performance that teams of the past have edged towards titles from, a cameo at a crucial juncture to breathe fresh life into the final throws of a campaign. Sir Alex Ferguson knew the value of squad players stepping up – think of Teddy Sheringham, Park Ji-Sung, Javier Hernandez to varying degrees – and Schlupp's seamless reintroduction to the team could prove priceless.

Ferguson actually knows about Schlupp, who spent a month on trial at Manchester United in March 2013 and nearly secured a contract at Old Trafford. There are links between Leicester and United, with Danny Drinkwater, Matty James, and Danny Simpson among a number of former academy players under Ferguson now at the King Power Stadium. Leicester's head of recruitment Steve Walsh is on good terms with United's Under 21 manager Warren Joyce.

Those connections bridged the gap that Schlupp's talent took him over. He played twice for United's U21s against Liverpool and West Ham and did well with manager Nigel Pearson open to idea of allowing his young player to move on to a bigger club and the promise of trophies.

But ultimately he stayed at Leicester and is on course to win the most prized piece of domestic silverware in any case.

The 23-year-old had a trial spell at Manchester United in 2013 but ultimately chose to stay at Leicester

JEFFREY SCHLUPP SEASON STATS

Premier League

Appearances: 21, Goals: 1

Capital One Cup

Appearances: 2, Goals: 0

Leicester can be proud of the 23-year-old, a product of their academy system. He joined the club aged 13 and made his debut under Sven Goran Eriksson five years later in August 2011, scoring a hat-trick against Rotherham in the League Cup.

That November he earned his first cap for Ghana, the country of his heritage, coming on against Gabon. He has gone on to make 12 appearances. Earlier that year he trained with Germany U19s, the nation of his birth, but did not gain any minutes.

Speaking when Schlupp was under trial at United, Eriksson said: 'He's a very, very good football player with very good talent. If he is ready for Manchester United, I do not know. It is a big thing for him but would be a big loss for Leicester if it happens.'

By that stage United were looking at Schlupp as an attacking full back or winger, but he operated as a striker when first coming through at Leicester. It was a position he excelled in during a loan spell the previous season at Brentford in League One. He scored six goals in 10 games for the west London team.

Pearson took over from Eriksson and continued to give Schlupp opportunities, but more so on the left flank suited to his left foot and sprinter's speed. He played every minute of three memorable games at the end of the 2012-13 season, first being part of the team to beat Nottingham Forest in the last minute on the final day to reach the Championship play-offs, then in both legs of that dramatic tie against Watford that left Leicester crushed.

That defeat provided the spur for next season's relatively smooth charge to the Championship title, with Schlupp playing 32 times.

Schlupp played 35 times for Leicester last season as they miraculously avoided Premier League releagation

Last season he was a regular again, making 35 appearances but only nailing down a definitive role as Leicester mounted their great escape from relegation. Pearson adopted a 3-4-1-2 formation and Schlupp was integral at left wing back, providing width and defensive nous.

This season Ranieri recognised his ability and began him at left back. But the 5-2 defeat at home to Arsenal in September made the Italian re-evaluate and Schlupp has not played there since. Christian Fuchs offers a more natural fit and Schlupp has moved up field again.

A hamstring injury that kept him out for nearly two months has hampered his appearances this term, but it is clear Ranieri understands his worth. He came on at half-time in the match at Watford with the score 0-0 and helped Leicester gain a midfield foothold in the eventual victory.

With three games to go, do not be surprised to see more of Schlupp, the youthful power giving Leicester's title bid a little extra gas.

Schlupp battles for the ball with Watford defender Jose Holebas during their Premier League clash last month

Schlupp's impact as a half-time substitute proved dividends as Leicester grinded out a win at Vicarage Road