Leicester V Fulham at The King Power Stadium : Match Preview

28 October 2013 14:01
Leicester V Fulham - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Pearson set to tinker

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson will "tweak" his starting line up for the visit of Fulham in the Capital One Cup.


One change could see leading scorer David Nugent replaced after the eight-goal striker was forced off due to illness early in the second half of the home league win over Bournemouth on Saturday. Chris Wood came on for Nugent against the Cherries but Jeff Schlupp and Gary Taylor-Fletcher are also options up front.


On-loan Arsenal defender Ignasi Miquel and midfielders Dean Hammond and Matty James will also hope to come into the reckoning for starting places against Martin Jol's Premier League team.


Ahead of the fourth-round tie, Pearson said: "We'll tweak the starting line-up but that won't weaken us."


Meanwhile, Bryan Ruiz admits Fulham need to quickly put their dismal 2-0 defeat at Southampton behind them as they prepare for another big week.


Jol's side travel to Sky Bet Championship promotion hopefuls Leicester on Tuesday and host Manchester United four days later.





The Cottagers were always second best at the weekend against the in-form Saints, who could have won by more than first-half goals from Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriguez.





And striker Ruiz knows they need to buck up their ideas if they are to avoid more disappointment, starting at the King Power Stadium.





"Southampton played well," Ruiz told the club's official website.





"We had a plan but once they scored the first goal it was difficult to find a way back into the match. They deserved the win but now we have to pick ourselves up and look towards the next match.





"After winning two games in a row, we wanted to continue that at Southampton. We weren't able to do it and we were all disappointed with the display.





"The most frustrating thing was not testing their goalkeeper. We should have done more but Southampton have only conceded three goals this season and they're very strong defensively.





"They are in good shape and full of confidence but we need to try and forget about it now and concentrate on the next match.





"We've got two games coming up quickly and it will be a tough week. We want to qualify for the next round of the cup and then take on Manchester United in a good frame of mind."





Costa Rica international Ruiz had to pass a late fitness test on his back injury in order to play at St Mary's.





The 28-year-old managed to come through 81 minutes unscathed and hopes to be involved against the Foxes.





He added: "I still have some problems with my back and we're working on that.





"It's getting better - hopefully in the next couple of weeks it will be 100 per cent."





Jol will also check on the fitness of captain Brede Hangeland, who missed out on Saturday with a nerve problem in his leg.





Northern Ireland defender Aaron Hughes could start after coming on as a half-time substitute at St Mary's following a month out with a thigh injury.





He admitted: "We were very disappointed with the goals we conceded. We need to tighten up."


Source: PA