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.