Pearson keeping his fingers crossed

09 January 2010 10:43
The club have said the game will go ahead "unless weather conditions change dramatically", meaning Pearson's side can bid for a fourth consecutive league win.[LNB]Victories over both Sheffield clubs and Swansea have kept Leicester firmly in the promotion frame in fifth, level on points with Cardiff and Swansea.[LNB]Pearson told the club's official website: "It is important to get it played. We are looking pretty good and it is important we keep the winning run going. But it will be a tough game as they have come into a bit of good form lately."[LNB]The Foxes manager admitted his side's preparations have been severely disrupted by the bad weather.[LNB]"It has been difficult, as it will be for most sides, because you can't get out on to the grass," he continued. "We have had some indoor sessions but it's nothing like the real thing so it is not ideal. We have had to be careful not to overdo the training on those artificial surfaces."[LNB]Training problems apart, Pearson's squad are in good shape, with left-back Bruno Berner (calf) the only injury worry. Striker Martyn Waghorn is available again after suspension while central defender Wayne Brown has recovered from a gluteus muscle strain.[LNB]Goalkeeper Chris Weale, meanwhile, is not getting carried away with Leicester's position as they look to make it back-to-back promotions.[LNB]The 27-year-old, who has been an ever-present since joining from Bristol City in the summer, said: "I am pleased with the first half of the season. I have kept my place, which is what I set out to achieve, but I am only halfway there."[LNB]"There is a lot of hard work and dedication still to go and that starts with Ipswich on Sunday. It has just been the start and now we have to push on as a team. It is all about where you are on May 2."[LNB]Ipswich have shown improved form of late after a terrible start to the season and three wins in four games have lifted them up to 19th in the table.[LNB]Boss Roy Keane must decide whether to hand a debut to goalkeeper Brian Murphy after he joined from Bohemians this week while Jon Stead is still suspended.[LNB]It will be a reunion with old friends for defender Gareth McAuley, who left Leicester in the summer of 2008 to head for Portman Road, and he is particularly wary of the Foxes' 12-goal top scorer Matty Fryatt.[LNB]McAuley his club's official website: "I have seen close up in training every day what a top player Matty is. He's a good finisher, a good player and he has shown that this season and we've got to make sure we are alert to the danger he carries."[LNB]McAuley praised the job done by Pearson following Leicester's relegation to League One in 2008.[LNB]"They had a lot of players that left after relegation and I was delighted to see the club do so well last season," he added. "The players have carried that on this year and are having a good run.[LNB]"They are very organised and solid and showed that at Portman Road at the start of the season (in a 0-0 draw), and we know it will be a difficult game for us but we're all looking forward to it."[LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk