Foxes sign Wood

Leicester City have completed a deal worth a reported £1.25 million for West Bromwich Albion striker Chris Wood.

The 22-year-old, on loan at Millwall, has agreed a three-year deal to keep him with the Foxes until 2015.

Foxes hope to Bag Wood

Leicester City have positioned themselves for a swoop for a new striker in the January transfer window, with manager Nigel Pearson distancing himself from rumours surrounding interest from the Foxes in West Bromwich Albion forward Chris Wood.

The striker is doing well on loan at Millwall - to whom City pay a visit tomorrow afternoon -
and whilst Pearson insisted he was unaware of a bid for the 21-year-old he did not deny his interest.

"Not to my knowledge, no," he told the BBC, "Speculation is not something I court. It is unsettling and disrespectful."

New Zealander Wood has been capped 29 times for the Kiwis and has been on loan at Barnsley, Brighton, Birmingham and Bristol City during his English career. He has so far scored eight goals in 16 games for the Lions this season.

Conclusions from the Tykes

Leicester City	2-2	Barnsley
	(HT 1-2)
Knockaert 9 Vardy 90		Dawson 27 Lazarus 39

King Power Stadium, attendance: 23,579
BBC Match Report

A Housekeeping Note

Dear Reader,

From now on, Of Fosse and Foxes will focus on Conclusions from games only that the author has seen first hand. This decision has been taken for two reasons:

1. The necessity to provide relevant, accurate and timely opinions unbiased by radio reports and featuring photos and first-hand reports from the game
2. Time constraints placed by work and changing circumstances that mean less time can be dedicated to maintaining and writing the blog

Whilst this move will see an unavoidable reduction in Conclusions posts, Of Fosse and Foxes will continue to provide news, opinion and timely reports from the King Power Stadium, plus at least two Conclusions posts per month - one from a home match and one from a game on the road.

Thank you for your continued support in reading and contributing to Of Fosse and Foxes - and up the Foxes.

Tim

Knockaert arrested in city fracas

Leicester City midfielder Anthony Knockaert was arrested on Saturday night, the club has confirmed.

Leicestershire Police released a statement earlier today to confirm the Frenchman's detention, allegedly following a disturbance involving fellow summer signing Jamie Vardy and a supporter of a rival team.

Speculation surrounding Knockaert's arrest centres around verbal abuse aimed toward the Foxes' players to which they are alleged to have responded.

The Police confirmed that a 21-year-old man was arrested at 03:15 on Sunday morning and has since been released on bail, pending further inquiries.

A Leicester City spokesman said: "We are conducting a full inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident. As a result of the ongoing police process, we are unable to make any further comment at this time."

It is not yet known if this news will affect Knockaert's selection ahead of Saturday's home fixture against Barnsley.

Foxes off for a Burton

Leicester City have been handed a home draw against Burton Albion in the 3rd Round of the FA Cup.

City have already played the Brewers on home turf this season, going down to a dismal 2-4 defeat in the League Cup in August.

The FA Cup tie will be played on the weekend of 5th & 6th January at the King Power Stadium.

Conclusions from Hillsborough

Sheffield Wednesday	0-2	Leicester City
	(HT 0-1)
		Drinkwater 41 Marshall 76

Hillsborough Stadium, attendance: 24,664
BBC Match Report

Nugent ruled-out of Sheffield visit

Leicester City's leading goalscorer has been ruled-out of Saturday's visit to Hillsborough following an aggravation of his neck injury.

David Nugent was substituted after just half an hour of the Foxes' huge 6-0 home victory over Ipswich Town last weekend and assistant boss Craig Shakespeare insisted that he was removed as "a precaution".

But Nugent, scorer of nine league goals for City this season, has now been ruled-out of the Foxes trip to South Yorkshire on Saturday, where they will face Sheffield Wednesday.

The club tweeted this afternoon and said they expect over 3,500 Foxes supporters to make the trip up the M1 this weekend.

Conclusions from the Tractor Boys

Leicester City	6-0	Ipswich Town
	(HT 4-0)
Nugent pen 8, 18 Dyer 27 Knockaert 44 Waghorn 53 Futacs 82

King Power Stadium, attendance: 20,779
BBC Match Report

Pearson comments under FA scrutiny

Nigel Pearson's comments made to the media following Leicester City's 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest on Saturday have come under scrutiny from the Football Association.

The Foxes' Zak Whitbread was alleged by referee Anthony Taylor to have conceded a penalty, from which the Foxes' rivals scored their equalising goal. Meanwhile City were denied their own penalty following what TV replays showed to be a clear handball later in the game.

Pearson was visibly incensed during the game and made his feelings known to the press in the tunnel after the match, speaking to Sky Sports, the BBC and the printed media to express his anger at the referee's performance and conceding that he would like to see officials made "more accountable" for their decisions.

"He [Zak Whitbread] got the ball," said Pearson to Sky Sports immediately following the game, "The referee was in a good position. If the referee can't get that right or if your assistant hasn't got the guts to give it, it's about time these people became accountable. We've had this taken away from us by other people who can't do their jobs properly."

He expanded on his views in the press conference later-on: "I'm not going to waste my time even attempting to talk to people who are totally disinterested in what's right and what's wrong. They have a team of four people out there, they need to utilise the four of them. For me it's laughable."

Pearson is now under scrutiny from the game's governing body who are yet to make a decision on as to whether or not the City manager will face a punishment for his comments.

"If I get in trouble, I think I have missed a trick because I have been careful with what I have said and how I have constructed my sentences," he said, "If I get fined after what has happened, then there is something seriously wrong with the game."

Danns flies off for loan with Robins

Out of favour Leicester City midfielder Neil Danns has departed the club on an initial one-month loan stint at Bristol City.

The 29-year-old former Crystal Palace man joined the Foxes under Sven Goran Eriksson but is thought to have become frustrated with a lack of first-team games after the Swede's replacement by Nigel Pearson. A Twitterstorm erupted at the start of the season after he started the season with barely an appearance to his name, and he has not appeared since in royal blue.

Pearson is thought to have shipped-out Jermaine Beckford, on loan at Huddersfield Town, for similar reasons and with Beckford and Danns off the wage bill Pearson may be given the opportunity to look for loanees of his own in the coming weeks.

Foxes appoint mystery director

Leicester City Football Club have appointed Shilai Liu as a director of the company.

The Chinese polo player was appointed on 26th October and his role is yet to be determined. The Foxes have made no statement regarding the appointment.

It is thought that Shilai is known to the Foxes' owners Vichai and Aiyawatt Raksriaksorn through his polo playing, with the Raksriaksorn family sponsoring the King Power Expeditionary Polo Team who recently played Shilai's Tang Polo Club in a high-profile event in Beijing's Forbidden City.

Remembrance Fixture Conclusions from the Trees

 

Leicester City	2-2	Nottingham Forest
	(HT 2-1)
Ward OG 7 Nugent 32		Guedioura 22 Cox pen 67

King Power Stadium, attendance: 24,793
BBC Match Report

Moore secures spot in England U21s

Leicester City defender Liam Moore has secured a place in England's under-21s squad for their forthcoming friendly against Northern Ireland.

The teenager has been selected by Stuart Pearce for the first time alongside five other debutants and will hope to make his mark in the 21-man squad. Moore had attracted interest from a range of Premier League clubs at the end of the summer following a successful start to his senior career with the Foxes, including speculation surrounding a potential move to Manchester United.

"This will be an opportunity for a number of younger players to impress and put themselves in contention for a place next summer," said Pearce in announcing his inexperienced Young Lions squad, "There are young players within this group who will be able to go again with the under-21s for the 2015 campaign, so every chance to play for England will give them experience they will no doubt call upon in the future."

Liam Moore offered immediate reaction to his call-up on Twitter: "It's a massive honour to be called up from my country and I have my club to thank for my chance," he wrote.

Conclusions from the Reebok Stadium

Bolton Wanderers	0-0	Leicester City
	(HT 0-0)

Reebok Stadium, attendance: 16,754
BBC Match Report

Foxes look to United to boost ailing squad

Leicester City will look to Manchester United in a bid to boost their ailing squad, with two loan deals with the Red Devils set to be finalised within the next twenty-four hours.

Teenage defender Michael Keane gained his first United start against Newcastle United in the League Cup in September and has made five appearances for the England under-19s. A full-back or centre half, Keane would add much-needed depth to Nigel Pearson's defence, who are without Sean St Ledger through injury and Zak Whitbread, suspended following his sending-off against Watford at the weekend.

Meanwhile, Jesse Lingard in yet to make a senior appearance for United. The attacking midfielder, also nineteen, was born in Warrington and is seeking his first loan deal to gain first team experience.

Pearson will hope to complete the deals to allow both players to meet-up with the City squad for their visit to Bolton Wanderers tomorrow night. City face the Trotters at the Reebok Stadium on Tuesday (KO 20:00) and will be hoping to avoid their third successive defeat.

Conclusions from Vicarage Road

Watford	2-1	Leicester City
	(HT 1-0)
Abdi 14 Forestieri 68		Nugent 71

Vicarage Road, attendance: 12,954
BBC Match Report

Conclusions from the Eagles

Leicester City	1-2	Crystal Palace
	(HT 0-2)
King 90		Delaney 23 Ramage 28

King Power Stadium, attendance: 23,646
BBC Match Report

Kasper would snub Real giants to stay at Leicester

Number 1: Schmeichel is happy at Leicester

Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel would snub a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid to stay number one at Leicester City, the 25-year-old has said.

Having been linked with a move to the world's richest football club, Schmeichel - son of Manchester United legend Peter - has rubbished speculation linking him with Jose Mourinho's Galacticos.

"Being mentioned in the same sentence as Real Madrid is an honour but that's as far as I've heard," he told Sky Sports, "I'm very happy here and have a year and a half on my contract where I'm playing week in week out and can't ask for more than that."

Schmeichel is a man in form, having helped Leicester City to a 100% home record and the top of the Championship season after eleven league games.

"Leicester is a very happy place," he added, "I've been very impressed by the set up and the whole way the club has run is very good. We have some great owners who back us and a manager who is very good."

Conclusions from St Andrew's

Birmingham City	1-1	Leicester City
	(HT 1-0)
Lovenkrands 45		Marshall 86

St Andrew's, attendance: 18,271 (3,752)
BBC Match Report

Are Leicester playing fair with their finances?

As the financial fair play rules come into force, it seems the Leicester City are one of three Championship clubs to be caught-out by the new rules.

Having posted a loss of £14,299,000 for the last financial year, the club has some work to do if it is to avoid Football League penalties in the coming years.

Popular freelance blogger Mike McCarthy - who authors the FoxBlogger blog - believes that the best way for he Foxes to avoid penalties is to be promoted this term.

"All spending from 1st June 2013 will count towards the new Financial Fair Play limits. Therefore the quickest and best way for Leicester City to avoid Financial Fair Play penalties is to get promoted this season," writes McCarthy, "At the moment the signs are promising. City have made an excellent start and look to be settling in to a side both difficult to beat, and capable of scoring plenty of goals."

With promotion, then, Leicester's future would be all but assured and a foray into the Premier League would yield a huge increase in television rights money enabling the club to, perhaps, compete at the top level. However, without promotion there are a number of factors to consider, with the club's Thai owners holding the key to unlocking this particular quandary.

Leicester City's Income, 2011-12 Match Receipts – £6m Other Football Income – £6m Retailing and merchandise – £1.4m Conference, catering, etc. - £0.9m Sponsorship, advertising & other – £3.1m

"Let’s start with what the club takes in," continues McCarthy, "In 2010/11 the club received income [to a] total of £17.4m.

"How much scope is there for that income to rise? Attendances have been patchy, so match receipts are unlikely to have increased significantly despite increased ticket prices. The Championship TV deal which started this season is worth 26 per cent less than the old one, meaning the club will have less TV money to play with. The recession is also likely to have impacted on the club’s attempts to expand significantly on its retail business.

"The club say they’ve signed sponsorship deals with Air Asia, Amazing Thailand and King Power which “provide for a significant increase in the commercial income of the club” but contracts were signed some time after 1st June 2011 so the accounts give no details as to how large these deals are."

The question of whether Leicester City can meet the Financial Fair Play rules rests, then, on their performance on the pitch. The answer will only be known at the end of the season.

Quotes in this article are taken from the Foxblogger blog. For more information on Financial Fair Play and how it affects Leicester City, see this entry.

BBC reveal true price of football

The latest results of an annual survey into the cost of watching football matches across 166 Premier League, Football League, Conference Premier, Scottish Premier League and Scottish Football League clubs have been published.

The headline statistic - that the cost of the cheapest adult ticket in the four top English leagues has risen by 11.7% - has set media tongues wagging and bought criticism from the Football Supporters' Federation amongst other supporters' groups.

Fans of Arsenal have the most to be concerned about - they hold the record for the most expensive match ticket (£126) and the most expensive season ticket (£1,995) - whilst the Gunners' cheapest season ticket is also more expensive than any in the survey, other bar the most expensive from Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.

In the Championship, the cheapest 'day out' - combining the cost of the cheapest match ticket, cup of tea and pie - is at Blackburn Rovers, where a grand total of £22.50 is accrued for an adult. An indication of the most expensive day out - replacing the cheapest match ticket with the most expensive - puts Ipswich Town as the dearest club to visit (£51.70 for ticket, tea, pie and programme).

A visit to Portman Road also works out as the most expensive on average, whilst a game at the King Power Stadium to watch Leicester City would dig a hole £31.50 deep in the average pocket, ranking them mid-table. The Foxes do have, however, the third most expensive 'dearest ticket' match day cost but this is offset as the £22.80 cheapest day out ranks them as the third cheapest on their day.

The data - which in the Championship is incomplete for four clubs - gives a sound indication of the cost of watching football and should reassure Foxes' supporters whose club are doing a fair job of managing costs at either end of the scale. Compared to last season, Leicester have jumped five places in 'cheapness'.

What this survey also demonstrates are the vast differences in the costs of Championship football: there is a difference of £503 between the most expensive and cheapest season tickets in the league. The scale may not be the same in the Championship as in the top flight, but the gap between those clubs charging the most and the least remains vast.

For more information on the BBC's Price of Football Survey, including full datasets, visit the BBC Sport website. Compare also the data from last season's survey, published on this blog.

Smiling Nugent leaves Foxes with plenty of reasons to be cheerful

A smiling David Nugent is on fine form for Leicester City and with the Foxes recording five wins on the trot for the first time in three years, there are plenty of reasons to celebrate at the King Power Stadium this month.

Whatever the outcome at the end of the season, Leicester can proudly say they have broken their recent form of inconsistency. Not since Nigel Pearson was last in charge have the Foxes won five games in a row and this current run is City's best in a decade. At this stage, Pearson's youngsters and nobodies have far outclassed the big-guns of the Sven Goran Eriksson era, undermining once more the ethos of big-spending in football. Pearson's team - in the making since January - has taken shape and it is becoming a force to be reckoned with.

The Foxes were just too good for Bristol City, who could hardly put up a fight in a 2-0 victory for the East Midlands outfit in their last fixture. It was hardly the most dazzling of performances from this season's Leicester City, but it was as professional and clinical as they have been in years. From the off, City applied high pressure and prevented the Robins from playing; Kasper Schmeichel had just one shot to deal with throughout the entire game and he goalscoring problems of seasons past have been dealt with. Nugent is a man on fire and even Lady Luck is smiling on the usually unlucky Foxes, with refereeing decisions and the ball's bounce falling nicely to aid Leicester towards the promotion places for the first time in ten years. They say you make your own luck; Leicester are building a factory.

Despite the money, the reputation and the players it is Pearson's down-to-Earth attitude that is winning games for Leicester City this year.

Defender out for four weeks; Hopper extends loan

Leicester City defender Sean St Ledger will be out of contention for at least four weeks following his injury sustained against Bristol City, it has emerged.

The Republic of Ireland international - who missed his country's 1-6 reverse to Germany at the weekend - sustained a hamstring pull against the Robins. Leicester went on to record a 2-0 home win without St Ledger.

St Ledger's injury, which sees him also ruled-out of the Boys in Green's match against the Faroe Islands tonight, leaves Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni with a defensive headache.

Meanwhile, young Foxes striker Tom Hopper has extended his loan deal at Bury and will remain in Lancashire until January. The 18-year-old has made seven starts for the Shakers and scored twice and will continue to be involved at Gigg Lane as Bury look for their first win of the season.

Conclusions from the Robins

Leicester City	2-0	Bristol City
	(HT 1-0)
Nugent 19 Foster OG 74		Scorers

King Power Stadium, attendance: 22,529
BBC Match Report

Wellens signs month's loan at Ipswich

Leicester City midfielder Richie Wellens had agreed a one-month loan deal with Ipswich Town.

The former Doncaster man is continuing his recovery from a significant knee injury and has been allowed out on loan by Nigel Pearson in a bid to speed up that process.

"I've been looking to go out on loan and when the opportunity arose to come to Ipswich, I didn't have to think twice," said Wellens, "Leicester wanted me to go out on loan and when they showed me the list of clubs that I could go to, Ipswich stood out."

Wellens is expected to go straight into the Tractor Boys' matchday squad.

Conclusions from John Smith's Stadium

Huddersfield Town	0-2	Leicester City
	(HT 0-1)
		Knockaert 30, 60

John Smith's Stadium, attendance: 13,821
BBC Match Report

Goalden: Anthony Knockaert (@stringersport)

Victorious Conclusions from Riverside

Middlesbrough	1-2	Leicester City
	(HT 0-0)
Bailey 50		Vardy 62 Dyer 89

Riverside Stadium, attendance: 15,679
BBC Match Report

Pearson Under Pressure as Redknapp Linked with Foxes Job

Nigel Pearson: Under unique pressures

Nigel Pearson's managerial seat is rumoured to be under threat from former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp, according to national reports.

The Daily Mail are the latest newspaper to link Redknapp to the Leicester City hot seat, with this new speculation coming off the back of the Foxes' first away win of the season. Despite sitting in a comfortable 5th place in the nPower Championship, with a run of three successive league victories not matched in the previous eighteen months, Pearson is under pressure with the club's Thai owners wanting a swift return on their £60 million investment.

The King Power Group - now sole owners of Leicester City Football Club - have invested heavily since taking over from Milan Mandaric over two years ago but neither big-spending Sven Goran Eriksson or the more conservative Pearson have delivered their ambition of Premier League football.

Fans, too, had been on the City manager's back but following their victory at Middlesbrough, it appears that the club may have turned a corner towards promotion ambitions.

Harry Redknapp: Linked with the City manager's hot seat

Vichai and Aiyawatt Raksriaksorn - the club chairman and his son - are believed to think that Redknapp has the belief, knowledge and contacts to return the Foxes to the top flight for the first time in a decade. The former Spurs, Portsmouth, Southampton, West Ham United and Bournemouth manager has seen recent success with the London club, leading them into the Champions League for the first time before being sacked at the beginning of the summer following a failure to repeat that feat. Now a consultant at Bournemouth, Redknapp is keen to return to management and is thought to be driven by the idea of leading a club like Leicester back to the Premier League.

Beckford makes Huddersfield loan switch

Jermaine Beckford has completed a three-month loan deal that will see him play for newly-promoted Huddersfield Town until 29th December.

Beckford had been tipped to depart the King Power Stadium since the end of last season, and rumours of a move to the Galpharm Stadium have been circulating for a number of weeks.

The 28-year-old striker has barely featured for Nigel Pearson's Foxes this season, with David Nugent and new acquisition Jamie Vardy sharing front line duties thus far.

Conclusions from the Tigers

Leicester City	3-1	Hull City
	(HT 1-1)
Nugent 7, 42, 90		Simpson 26

King Power Stadium, attendance: 20,815
BBC Match Report

Young Defender Signs for Three Years Moore

New deal: Young defender Liam Moore

Leicester City defender Liam Moore has signed a new deal that will keep him at the club until at least 2015, the player has reported on Twitter this evening.

The nineteen-year-old graduated to the first team to make his début last season, but his breakthrough came with a fine five-game run at the start of the 2012/13 campaign. Moore's promotion to the senior squad this season has widely earned him plaudits, from Premier League Manchester United no less, but the youngster has committed to a new three-year deal at his home town club.

"Really happy and proud to have come threw [sic] the academy at #LCFC and sign this 3 year deal taking me to 15 years at the club," he tweeted, "Big thank you to the #LCFCFAMILY and everybody else on all the nice messages. Appreciate them," adding the hashtag "#livingmydream".

The Repetitive Cycle that is the Story So Far

This article first appeared on The Football League 72 on Monday, 17th September, 2012.

Leicester City are once more presented with criticism of their inconsistency, as their league away form marks a dramatic contrast to that at the King Power Stadium. An ignominious defeat at home to Burton Albion in the League Cup aside, Nigel Pearson's Foxes have made something of a fortress out of their home ground but their away form is, barring one win at Torquay United - again in the League Cup - somewhat worrisome.

The story of City's away days so far in the 2012/13 nPower Championship campaign all tell a similar tale. On all three occasions, Leicester have been defeated by two goals to one, with a gallant second half effort to overturn the deficit in each game never quite cutting the mustard. It is the Foxes' away form that is troubling the City faithful.

Against Wolves on Sunday - as many saw on the TV - Leicester were dogged performers who could - should - have won the game. Martyn Waghorn hit the post, David Nugent had a free header brilliantly saved... neither saw the change in the final score craved by the 2,500-strong visiting crowd.

It has seemed for months that every time City win, a draw or loss follows. Likewise, every defeat heralds a bright new dawn where things will be got right. Perhaps Nigel Pearson is an expert at encouraging an ailing team, but not so good at providing an incentive to win for a team that has already tasted victory? The form book would certainly suggest so.

The City manager is also the man who best sums-up his team's fortunes this season.

"The players are working hard and I believe our fortunes will change," Pearson said after the Molineux defeat, "We have got to start getting the performances to a point where we are more difficult to beat because we have the armoury to hurt sides.

"We played some good football but you don't want to play good losing football. We have the nucleus of a very good side. We have to take responsibility for how we perform and then everything else will fall into place."

Conclusions from the Clarets

Leicester City	2-1	Burnley
	(HT 0-1)
Nugent 47 Vardy 57		Marny 10

King Power Stadium, attendance: 18,480 (323)
BBC Match Report

Leicester City become King Power FC

Leicester City have been taken under the direct umbrella of King Power International and are now wholly controlled by Vichai and Aiyawatt Raksriaksorn.

The club had been owned by Asia Football Investments, with the King Power group as a majority shareholder, but are now controlled directly by the Thai duty-free giants. The change is in name only - the management and board remain the same and the takeover has been fully ratified by the Football League.

Speaking of the change, City vice-chairman Aiyawatt Raksriaksorn said to the club's official website that he intends to lead the Foxes as a core part of the King Power brand.

"This is all part of our plan to fund and deliver a programme of long-term, sustainable success for the Football Club," said Top, "We are delighted to bring Leicester City directly under the ownership of King Power International, where it will be established as a core part of the group’s overall interests.

"The last two years have been an incredible experience and we firmly believe we have the key elements in place, both on and off the pitch, to take Leicester City back to the Premier League.

"I would like to personally thank the Leicester City fans and the people of Leicestershire for the amazing support they have already shown us in the early stages of our long-term vision for the Club, and look forward, together with the fans, to the season ahead and the long term success of the Club."

City face Burnley at the King Power Stadium, re-named last season after their owners' brand, tomorrow night (KO 19:45).

Conclusions from Molineux

Wolverhampton Wrs	2-1	Leicester City
	(HT 2-0)
Ebanks-Blake 13 Stearman 21		Konchesky 70

Molineux, attendance: 20,030
BBC Match Report

Striker Hops off to Gigg Lane

Young Foxes' forward Tom Hopper has joined Bury on a one-month loan deal, becoming the second Leicester City player to depart on loan this week.

The 18-year-old made his first team début for City in the FA Cup last January and will join the League Two outfit at Gigg Lane to gather further experience of senior football. It is Hopper's first loan move since he graduated from the Belvoir Drive academy a year ago.

Gallagher offloaded to Blades on loan

Loan spell: Paul Gallagher

Leicester City winger Paul Gallagher has been granted a loan move to Sheffield United in a one-month deal.

28-year-old Gallagher has seen his starting position come under threat following the arrival of Ben Marshall in January and Anthony Knockaert this summer and has made just one competitive appearance for the Foxes this season.

Gallagher joined City from Blackburn Rovers in 2009 and was part of Nigel Pearson's nearly-successful Play Off campaign that season. He has racked up 130 appearances for the Foxes and scored 28 goals in his time at the King Power Stadium, including a memorable hat-trick against Scunthorpe United.

During his month at Bramall Lane, Gallagher could play six matches as the Blades push for promotion from England's third tier.

Arsenal latest side gunning for Moore

Arsenal are the latest Premier League side to be linked with young Leicester City defender Liam Moore, following interest from Manchester United during the late stages of the summer transfer window.

With just a year left on his contract and having put in a number of impressive performances since graduating to the Foxes' first team at the start of the season, Moore has been linked with a string of top flight teams who are keen to snap-up the starlet.

The Metro reported today that Arsenal scouts were impressed by Moore having watched him during City's 1-0 victory over Blackpool at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, meanwhile Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and Aston Villa are also known to have sent scouts to watch the 19-year-old.

Moore is a regular at under-19 level for England and has become a hit amongst supporters having recieved a sudden call-up to the Foxes' first team following a dearth of injuries and departures to the club's defence over the summer. He made his Leicester City debut last season, having returned from a loan spell at Bradford City where he made 22 appearances.

The player himself remains focussed on the task at hand and insists that speculation surrounding his future will not deter him from putting in his shift for the Foxes.

"Other teams 'interested' has nothin 2 do with me or any1 from my side [sic]," Moore tweeted earlier, "Weather it's true or not. I'm a lcfc player tryin2 earn a new contact [sic]."

Conclusions from the Tangerines

Leicester City	1-0	Blackpool
	(HT 0-0)
Marshall pen 54

King Power Stadium, attendance: 18,655
BBC Match Report

Deadline Day: Beckford Loan Deal Collapses

Jermaine Beckford's loan move to Huddersfield Town was not completed and the 28-year-old remains a Leicester City player.

The deal for the striker was all-but completed yesterday evening but it has emerged this morning that the Foxes pulled the plug on the deal at the last minute.

Huddersfield were keen to replace outgoing striker Jordan Rhodes and, with former Leeds United manager Simon Grayson in charge, Beckford was a likely target. It was also rumoured yesterday afternoon that Beckford was a target of Bolton Wanderers, though nothing materialised from that move.

Deadline Day: Beckford Loan Deal Completed

Jermaine Beckford has sealed a loan deal at Huddersfield Town, Of Fosse and Foxes understands.

The Leicester City striker is set to re-join his former Leeds United manager, Simon Grayson, at the Galpharm Stadium for the remainder of the season. Beckford cut his cloth in West Yorkshire before a spell at Everton, before joining the Foxes on the summer transfer window deadline day last year.

The 28-year-old was the FA Cup top scorer last season - including a memorable hat-trick against Nottingham Forest - netting six times in five games. Beckford scored fifteen goals in 48 appearances in all competitions for the Foxes and featured in four of City's five matches so far this season.

Deadline Day: Speculation Surrounds Beckford

Grayson link: Beckford

Loanee: Cian Bolger

Amidst the flurry of activity on transfer deadline day it has been a quiet day at the King Power Stadium with just one deal being struck, Cian Bolger returning to Bristol Rovers on a six-month loan.

Meanwhile, speculation continues to surround the future of Jermaine Beckford, who was widely tipped to leave Leicester City this summer but has so far not made a move away from the East Midlands. Beckford is thought to be out of favour with Nigel Pearson following the signing of Jamie Vardy, with David Nugent seen as the new number nine's preferred strike partner.

Beckford's future could change in the last three hours of the transfer window, however, with numerous reports linking the City striker with Huddersfield Town. Former Foxes defender Simon Grayson, now in charge at the Terriers, has history with Beckford when he was manager at Leeds United.

Beckford is rumoured to be agreeing a loan deal with the West Yorkshire club, with a view to a permanent deal, whilst according to Of Fosse and Foxes sources, the player has handed-in a transfer request. Both remain unconfirmed.

Knockaert's English Dream Comes True

Summer signing Anthony Knockaert has spoken of his joy at being finally involved in football outside of France, praising the English game's pace. Having trialled for Leeds United as a youth player, Knockaert cut his cloth as a professional at En Avant de Guingamp and was subject to offers by Newcastle United and French Ligue 1 side Montpellier before signing with Leicester City.

"During pre-season against Sunderland, it was wonderful. I have never played a match with so much speed in my life. It was amazing," he said in an interview with French sports newspaper L'Equipe, "Around me there were a lot of people that told me it was a bad decision to sign at Leicester. But I know I couldn't leave the chance.

"Since I was a teenager I have always dreamt about England. My objective is to make a name for myself in the Premier League one day, because it is the only league in the world where I want to play in once in my life. What I love in England is the passion around Football."

Nigel Pearson sacked rumours not true

Nigel Pearson remains as Leicester City manager and will lead the Foxes against Blackpool on Saturday despite speculation that he was relieved of his position earlier tonight.

Amid rumours of a dressing room bust-up with Craig Shakespeare, assistant manager, social networking sites were earlier abuzz with news of Pearson's demise. However, sources close to the club insist that Pearson remains in charge and there are no issues within the City camp, whilst the hashtag #maduplcfcrumours has since started trending on Twitter.

Meanwhile, a bemused Neil Danns has taken to the social networking site to express his puzzlement at the rumours.

"Someone care to enlighten me on me having a bust up rumour," he tweeted, "First I've heard an [sic] I can assure you it's not true, night tweeps #dreamwell."

Sense of humour: City fans posted #madeuplcfcrumours on Twitter earlier

Updated at 23:36 to include a Tweet from Neil Danns.

Kennedy Departs Company with Leicester

Tom Kennedy has been released from his contract with Leicester City having reached a mutual agreement to terminate his deal at the King Power Stadium.

The 27-year-old full-back had begun to creep into the first team, with notable appearances for the Foxes last season, and with Nigel Pearson's squad thin in defence, the release of a fringe defender will not please the City faithful.

Nonetheless, Kennedy made just six appearances in over two years at Leicester, spending much of his time on loan, firstly at Rochdale and latterly at Peterborough. Both clubs are thought to be interested in securing the defender's signature.

Neither the club nor Kennedy have yet commented on the player's departure.

City duo hear England call as Tigers game moved

Two Leicester City players have been called-up by Stuart Pearce to represent England ahead of the under-21s final qualification fixtures ahead of the 2013 European Championships.

High flier: Ben Marshall has attracted the attention of Stuart Pearce

Call-up: Martyn Waghorn

Martyn Waghorn, capped three times to date, will join former City loanee Nathan Delfouneso in attack in the 23-man squad, whilst Ben Marshall - singled-out for praise by Pearce - has forced his way into an international squad for the first time and will face competition for a starting place with a fellow new call-up, Blackpool midfielder Tom Ince.

"The fact that we are only three League games into the domestic season makes selection difficult but within that time the likes of Thomas Ince and Ben Marshall have done extremely well to force their way into the squad," said Pearce, "We have put ourselves in a good position within the group, but we know full well that we are taking on an improving Azerbaijan side. I went to see them twice in the summer and they won away in Iceland and were only beaten by the odd goal in Norway, so that tells you how much they are improving. Of course, like us, Norway are playing to win the group or qualify as best runner up."

The Young Lions play in Baku on Thursday, 6th September and will host the Norwegians at Chesterfield's Proact Stadium on Monday, 10th September.

Meanwhile, a fixture clash with the Leicester Tigers has seen the Foxes' home game against Hull City put back by one day. City will now host Steve Bruce's men on Sunday, 23rd September at 3pm.

Embarrassing League Cup Conclusions from the Brewers

Leicester City	2-4	Burton Albion
	(HT 0-1)
Knockaert 60 Futacs 87		Palmer 20 Taylor 53 Weir (pen) 64 Maghoma 68

King Power Stadium, attendance: 8,560
BBC Match Report

Mostly empty: Burton defend a corner in front of a sparse crowd

Moore Opportunities for Young Leicester Defender

Wanted man: City defender Liam Moore

Liam Moore is attracting interest from Premier League clubs including Manchester United, according to this morning's Daily Mirror.

The Leicester City defender has stepped-up to the first team following injury to Sean St Ledger, having trained with the senior squad and made two appearances last season. His performances have impressed many and led the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Everton's David Moyes to keep an eye on the 19-year-old.

Moore made his league début in the Foxes' first Championship fixture against Peterborough and is one of a hatful of City players to have completed ninety minutes in all of Leicester's first four games of the 2012/13 campaign.

Both United and Everton sent their chief scouts to watch Moore in action at Ewood Park as Leicester went down to a 2-1 loss against Blackburn Rovers, and Ferguson is understood to be keen to swoop for the defender before the transfer window slams shut on Friday.

Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson is yet to comment on the speculation over Moore's future but has reacted quickly to quash pressure on the thrice-capped England under-17 international.

"When you consider how he finished last season, he had two appearances and we won both games," Pearson told the Leicester Mercury, "He has had an opportunity this season which possibly he wouldn't have thought would have been there. He has taken the opportunity positively."

Whilst Moore has impressed since graduating to the first team he remains a young, developing player and, whilst quietly impressed, Pearson is still reserved in his praise of the player.

"Of course, he is playing alongside the captain and a player with vast experience. They have complemented each other well," added Pearson, "It is important not to put too much pressure on him and say he has made it. He has taken his chance well. He is still a very young player with lots to learn, but he is in there on merit and, if he keeps playing the way he is, he will take some shifting out of the side as well."

Conclusions from Ewood Park

Blackburn Rovers	2-1	Leicester City
	(HT 1-0)
Nuno Gomes 33 Pedersen 79		Vardy 55

Ewood Park, attendance: 13,935
BBC Match Report

Danns Bewildered at Being Benched

Happier times? Neil Danns earlier this term

Foxes midfielder Neil Danns is stunned at being left out of Nigel Pearson's starting elevens this season - and has taken to Twitter to air his thoughts.

"Must of [sic] done something to upset someone," the 29-year-old wrote on the social networking site this morning, "Don't no [sic] what is going on but thank you LCFC fans for the support".

The midfielder is yet to feature for Leicester this season, with Pearson favouring Matty James and Danny Drinkwater in midfield. Only Andy King has appeared as a substitute in the centre of midfield, leading some fans to raise questions about Danns' future. The former Crystal Palace man sought to clarify his point of view, stating that he is not leaving the club:

"Someone asked me wat I had dun wrong at the club and I just answered... doesn't mean I'm leaving, I was jus thanking fans for ther comments [sic]," said Danns, "Blown out of proportion [...] I'm happy here, simply answered a question, on that note how's everyone's day?"

Conclusions from the Valley

Charlton Athletic	2-1	Leicester City
	(HT 2-0)
Wright-Phillips 18 Kermorgant 32		King 53

The Valley, attendance: 16,658 (1,628)
BBC Match Report

Foxes join hunt for Webster signature

Webster: Linked with a move South

Heart of Midlothian centre half Andy Webster is being targeted by Leicester City as the Foxes bid to strengthen their defence.

Both East Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest and Premier League Norwich City are also believed to be chasing the Scotland international and with no further progress on a proposed move for Stoke City defender Danny Higginbotham today, the Foxes are believed to have joined the hunt for 30-year-old Webster.

Webster made a high-profile move to Wigan Athletic from Hearts in 2006, lending his name to the Webster ruling that allowed players to walk away from an outstanding contract after a fixed period in-line with new FIFA rules created that year.

His spell in Lancashire yielded just four appearances, however, and he moved back to Scotland for an unsuccessful two years at Rangers before rejoining Hearts last year. In total, he has notched-up 192 league appearances for the Maroons, scoring on ten occasions over his two spells at Tynecastle.

Rovers deal for defender Parkes

Academy product Tom Parkes is due to agree to a permanent deal with Bristol Rovers having failed to break into the Leicester City first team.

Parkes, 20, made a number of appearances in pre-season for the Foxes but has elected to return to Rovers, for whom he made 14 appearances on loan last term.

Despite injury to Sean St Ledger making City's back line in dire need of a supporting cast, Nigel Pearson has not elected to give Parkes a run in the first team. The defender spent almost the entirety of last season away from the King Power Stadium, following spells with Burton Albion and Yeovil Town with a six-month stay at the Memorial Stadium from January.

The move of Parkes perhaps paves the way for a new man to enter the club, with rumours of Stoke City defender Danny Higginbotham making a move to the East Midlands resurfacing in the last twenty-four hours.

First League Game Conclusions from the Posh

Leicester City	2-0	Peterborough United
	(HT 0-0)
Morgan 51 King 74

King Power Stadium, attendance: 23,863 (1,868)
BBC Match Report

Leicester linked with move for Higginbotham

Stoke City defender Danny Higginbotham is the latest man linked with Nigel Pearson's Leicester City, as the Foxes' boss looks to shore-up his defensive line.

City have signed Zak Whitbread, but he is yet to prove fully fit and, following the departure of central defensive duo Matt Mills and Sol Bamba during the summer, City lack cover at the back. With an injury that will see Sean St Ledger sidelined for the opening weeks of the new season, Pearson is keen to find extra legs to provide support to skipper Wes Morgan.

Higginbotham, out of favour with Potters' boss Tony Pulis, spent part of last season with the Foxes' East Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest and has been told that he is free to leave the Britannia Stadium this summer. Pearson is said to favour a loan move for the 33-year-old former Southampton and Derby County player.

City drawn against Brewers in cup

Following Leicester City's away win over Torquay United on Tuesday night, the Foxes have been drawn at home to Burton Albion for the second round of the Capital One Cup.

The fixture will take place during the week beginning Monday, 27th August with the tie likely to be played on the Tuesday or Wednesday evening of that week. It will offer another chance for Nigel Pearson's side to beat the Brewers, following a successful 1-3 friendly win at the Pirelli Stadium during the close season.

Opening Day League Cup Conclusions from Plainmoor

Torquay United	0-4	Leicester City
	(HT 0-2)
		Dyer 21 Marshall 36 James 50 Vardy 77

Plainmoor, attendance: 3,367 (1,166)
BBC Match Report

Academy products star as Foxes end pre-season on high

Injury? Vardy was taken-off as a precaution
after an impressive first half performance

Leicester City ended their pre-season on a high as they beat former manager Martin O'Neill's Premier League Sunderland by a single goal at the King Power Stadium.

The Foxes had the better of a goalless first half, Richie de Laet and Ben Marshall going closest to scoring for the home side, whilst Kasper Schmeichel was called into action to deny Fraizer Campbell for the Black Cats.

Summer signing Jamie Vardy - who missed the goal by inches with a towering header - and January recruit Danny Drinkwater both looked sharp before the break but both players were replaced for the second half - Vardy forced-off through injury after 43 minutes - as Nigel Pearson opted to make seven changes to his starting eleven before the end of the match.

With the experienced heads of Andy King and Neil Danns joining the fray alongside new blood in Frenchman Anthony Knockaert, it seemed only a matter of time before the Foxes took the lead and it was a substitute who put City ahead. Defender Tom Parkes got his studs to a Marshall corner that was badly dealt with by a lacklustre Sunderland defence to scruffily give the home side the advantage.

The once again outstanding Knockaert aside, this was not a showcase of football like the Real Madrid friendly of twelve months ago. Unlike Sven Goran Eriksson's City side that contested with Jose Mourinho's galacticos, however, Pearson is building a dependable and reliable squad that looks sound across the pitch. Arguably, City's only weakness ironically remains in defence, with little cover in place following the injury to Sean St Ledger earlier in the summer.

Liam Moore: Growing into his first-team
professional role

This was the game where Leicester City's academy prospects grew-up, though. Liam Moore has become a colossal defender and as the season wear-on is likely to feature in that threadbare back four, whilst Parkes is still growing but has shown that he is more than capable of holding his own in the first team. Meanwhile, the star of Jeffrey Schlupp continues to burn brightly and, although more likely to feature on-loan than for the Foxes early in the season, he could have an important role as a makeshift utility player, as he did this afternoon.

This, then, was as positive as pre-season results come. Both teams were given a thorough workout and exposed the other's flaws, whilst from a Leicester City point of view the result will give a much-needed boost before the long trip to Torquay on Tuesday evening, as the Foxes kick-off their season in the League Cup first round.

Pre-season is now finished, the jigsaw is fitting together, and the 2012/13 football season has nearly arrived. And things are looking up for City.

City youth to benefit from new league

Young Foxes stars of the future will be able to test themselves against the best of their age group from across the country when they participate in a new under-21s league this season.

As part of the Elite Player Performance Plan, introduced by the Premier League newly for the 2012/13 campaign, Leicester City's youth squad have been entered into in the Northern section of Category Two to face sides from Barnsley, Birmingham City, Coventry City, Crewe Alexandra, Derby County, Huddersfield Town, Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday and Wigan Athletic.

Along with a similar Southern section of Category Two, a 23-team Category One section has also been created with seventeen Premier League and six Championship clubs represented.

2012/13 Season Preview

This article first appeared on The Football League 72 on Friday, 3rd August 2012.

Nigel Pearson’s Leicester City are a very different beast to that of twelve months ago, largely thanks to a turbulent 2011/12 season that saw a huge player turnover and our eleventh manager change in a decade.

Thanks to Pearson’s grounded nature, however, this summer has been very different to last year’s, with Sven Goran Eriksson’s high-spending approach to management forgotten in favour of a more measured style. One gets the impression that Pearson is trying to build a team that plays as a unit, rather than a bunch of superstar individuals and the signings of young Manchester United duo Matty James and Richie de Laet support that view.

In these players, along with the recent acquisition of Zak Whitbread, Pearson has begun to build a solid base. Gone are the risky Sol Bamba and the unimpressive Matt Mills alongside a raft of released fringe players, with Whitbread providing cover at the back alongside Ireland’s Euro 2012 star defender Sean St Ledger and new skipper Wes Morgan.

Of most excitement, however, are the changes up front. Signing the impressive young target man Marko Futacs on a free from Portsmouth is a conservative move that could well pay-off. Meanwhile, Pearson has taken a risk in opting to break a non-league transfer record to bring Fleetwood Town’s Jamie Vardy to the King Power Stadium. If Vardy can transfer his goal scoring ability from the Conference to the Championship – and the signs from pre-season are that he is looking very sharp – City could have a real gem on their hands. Partnering David Nugent, who started his Leicester career solidly last term, Leicester City could really prove a threat in attack and, for once, live up to their pre-season hype.

Foxes second in agents' fees table

Leicester City were second only to West Ham United in their spending on fees for footballing agents in the 2011/12 season, the Football League has announced.

Overall, the total sum paid by all member clubs to agents rose by £5 million to £21.7 million over the previous year, with the Foxes responsible for £1,812,371, a fee second only to the Hammers' £4,314,270. Whilst the London club were promoted having spent big on players such as Nicky Maynard and Ricardo Vaz Te, City made 15 signings over the course of the season to accumulate their total. Only two other Championship clubs joined the Foxes and the Hammers in surpassing £1 million.

"While £21 million is a lot of money leaving the game, it should also be noted that a considerable amount of this total has been spent by a small number of clubs," said Greg Clarke, chairman of the Football League, "In fact, almost a fifth of the overall figure was spent by one club alone."

Indeed, there were four clubs who spent nothing on agents' fees: Hartlepool in League One; and Accrington Stanley, AFC Wimbledon, Barnet and Crewe Alexandra in League Two. Agents' fees are paid to footballing agents acting for a player in order to complete a transfer between clubs, and typically account for a percentage of the fee paid for a player.

"Where such spending forms part of a sustainable business plan it shouldn't be of great concern and supporters should be encouraged to see our clubs committing themselves to the new Financial Fair Play regulations that will take effect across all three divisions in the new season," added Clarke, "In time, these rules will require clubs to be more circumspect with regard to their spending and may help reduce the costs incurred in this area."

Foxes unveil away and third kits

Leicester City have, as expected, released their away kit for the 2012/13 season.

Smart: Paul Gallagher and Neil Danns model the new third kit whilst Wes
Morgan dons the all-black away colours

The all-black kit, modelled by defender Wes Morgan, was first seen in leaked photographs last night but has officially been released this morning. Featuring gold trim, it is on sale now from the club's megastore at the King Power Stadium

Also released are Leicester City's third colours. An all-white third strip featuring navy blue detailing completes the line-up and will go on sale to supporters in early September.

Leicester City away kit leaked

Black: Is this Leicester City's new away kit?

As with City's home kit for the 2012/13 season, Leicester City's attire for their travels has also been leaked online just hours before it goes on sale.

What is believed to be the new kit was shown for the first time on Twitter and features a black shirt partnered with black shorts, both finished in a metallic gold trim to match the template used in the recently released home strip.

The kit is released officially tomorrow and goes on-sale at the club shop in the south-east corner of the King Power Stadium tomorrow morning. It is not yet known if or when the Foxes will release details of a third kit, although a release has been rumoured for October.

Foxes will miss-out on Koren deal

Robert Koren is poised to sign a new deal at the KC Stadium and snub a move to Leicester City, Of Fosse and Foxes understands.

The 31-year-old winger has been widely linked with a potential move to the King Power Stadium since former Hull City boss Nigel Pearson rejoined Leicester last season, but Koren is set to secure a new deal with the Tigers and turn-down the prospect of joining his former boss with the Foxes.

Tigers' manager Steve Bruce said at the start of the month that he will not be held to ransom by Leicester over the player but the Foxes are understood to have activated a £500,000 release clause in Koren's contract, allowing him the freedom to choose which club he signs a contract with. The talented winger has featured in pre-season for Hull and, having been impressed with Bruce's efforts to retain his services on Humberside, it seems Leicester City are set to miss-out on their main transfer target of the summer.

City land Knockaert blow to Boro

New signing Anthony Knockaert made a dazzling debut for Leicester City as he set-up two goals to gift the Foxes a 1-3 victory away to Nuneaton Town last night.

City opened the scoring in the second half as the Frenchman fed a neat pass to Jermaine Beckford who slotted home past the home sides's keeper. It was Knockaert who created the Foxes' second, too, his neat work on the wing leading to a pinpoint cross that found Marko Futacs. The big man's bumbled shot fell to Beckford who, stepping over the ball, cheekily back-heeled to double City's lead.

Boro snatched a goal back within ninety seconds of conceding after the defensive frailties of City's growing back four of Alie Sesay, Cian Bolger, Tom Parkes and Tom Kennedy were exposed by Tom James who fired the ball beyond Conrad Logan in the Leicester net. Indeed, Boro could have drawn level but for hitting the post, whilst a fine double save from Logan denied the home side seconds later. The Foxes secured victory in fading light with ten minutes left, however, when Futacs stole the ball off the foot of Danny Drinkwater to slot home.

The game could have panned-out very differently after an uninspiring first half performance from a mixed-up City XI, Nuneaton able to press against that young Foxes' defence and apply pressure on Logan, who saved three times in the first forty-five to keep the home side's attacks at bay. Not that City were impotent up front - Beckford's pace, coupled with the presence of Futacs, caused problems for the Conference Premier side's defence and the combination of Knockaert, Drinkwater and Neil Danns in midfield steadied the ship.

Despite Beckford's two goals, it was Knockaert who stole the show, offering finesse to an otherwise workmanlike display and presenting a headache to Nigel Pearson, as he looks to assemble his first XI ahead of the start of the competitive season against Torquay United in the League Cup next week.

City lose-out in chase for Gerrard

Gerrard: Moving to Huddersfield

A bid from Leicester City for Cardiff City defender Anthony Gerrard has been rejected, the Bluebirds' manager Malky McKay has confirmed, and the Foxes have now lost their chance to sign the highly-valued 26-year-old.

With Sean St Ledger out for the start of the season with a knee injury, Nigel Pearson has stepped-up his search for a centre back. Despite having secured the signature of Zak Whitbread last month, the American has yet to feature in a pre-season fixture for City and Pearson is keen to add depth to his defensive roster, with Gerrard his primary candidate.

"Bristol City and Leicester City have made offers, but they don't match our valuation and have been turned down," said McKay yesterday, who rejected two £200,000 offers for the player. Cardiff have now agreed a fee of £350,000 for the brother of England international Steven with Huddersfield Town and the player is expected to make his Terriers' debut next Friday at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Young Foxes XI seen-off by Dynamo

A youthful Leicester City side was beaten yesterday when they travelled to Loughborough Dynamo in this season's Westerby Cup Winners' Cup match.

Of the City squad which travelled to Nanpantan Sports Ground, only Adam Smith, George Taft and Tom Hopper have made it into a first team selection but, despite their inexperience, only a penalty from the Moes' Matt Langham separated the sides at full time.

The young Foxes could have been level despite that first-half setback, however, and skipper Taft put the ball in the back of the net with a towering header before half time after a terrific corner from academy prospect Michael Cain. Taft's efforts were in vain though, Cain's inswinging delivery adjudged to have curled out of play en-route to the penalty area.

The match was not all bad news, however, with the Foxes performing brightly in front of manager Nigel Pearson and the momentum swinging in their favour in the build-up to Taft's disallowed header.

Pearson will be hoping for a result this evening, however, with a strong squad travelling south of the county border to take on Nuneaton Town (KO 19:30). Jermaine Beckford, Martyn Waghorn and Marko Futacs are expected to feature at Liberty Way, alongside young professionals Cian Bolger, Tom Parkes and Harry Panayiotou who did not play in Loughborough. Tickets for tonight's fixture start at £8 for adults, with a further £2 supplement for seating. Children's tickets are just £2 and concessions £5 and Leicester City have suggested that travelling supporters park on the Attenborough Fields industrial estate.

Foxes thrash Imps in rearranged closed-door friendly

Despite the late cancellation by Lincoln City of Leicester City's pre-season visit to Sincil Bank, both clubs were able to arrange a behind-closed-doors friendly at the King Power Stadium last night.

City's assistant manager Craig Shakespeare took charge of a strong Foxes XI who made easy work in defeating the Imps, with the strike partnership of David Nugent and Jamie Vardy developing nicely as those players bagged a goal apiece.

Also on target was midfielder Andy King, who will hope to net more frequently next term, and Lloyd Dyer who scored twice as Leicester went on to record a 5-0 victory. It was all good news for Shakespeare, who was glad that the game was able to ahead.

"All the work we'd done during the week had been building up to the game on Saturday. We'd been planning towards who would need a full 90 minutes, who would need 75 and integrating players like Ben Marshall back into the fold as he's been missing with illness.

"As much as we'd liked to have played in front of the fans, it was important we didn't disrupt the players' preparations, so we were extremely grateful to Dave Holdsworth and his staff for bringing a team to King Power Stadium at such short notice," Shakespeare told LCFC.com, "Had the game not gone ahead, it would have impacted on training in the early part of next week and possibly the Westerby Cup and Nuneaton games."

A young City side will travel to Loughborough Dynamo for that cup match, with some experienced faces likely to be-on show at Liberty Way on Tuesday night. The Foxes' pre-season reaches a crescendo with the visit of Martin O'Neill's Sunderland next weekend. City kick-off the 2012/13 season away to Torquay United in the League Cup on Tuesday, 14th August.