Leicester V Huddersfield at The King Power Stadium : Match Preview

11 February 2013 17:31
Leicester V Huddersfield - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Foxes ring changes in cup

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson will make changes for his side's FA Cup replay against Huddersfield.

One will be enforced with winger Ben Marshall set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering a foot injury during the Championship defeat at Peterborough on Saturday.

"Ben has had an x-ray so we've ruled out a break," Pearson told reporters. "We'll just have to see how he recovers over the next few days.

"He sustained it just after he scored. He had a chance at the far post, went to shoot and I think he kicked the defender's foot. It was a bit of a concern but he's a bit sore at the moment and we're not quite sure when he'll be available."

The likes of midfielders Lloyd Dyer, Matty James, Paul Gallagher and Richie Wellens and strikers Martyn Waghorn and Marko Futacs - all of whom were on the bench against Posh - will come into contention for recalls.

In-form striker Chris Wood missed out at London Road with a knee injury. The Kiwi will remain absent against the Terriers, against whom he scored twice on New Year's Day as Leicester romped to a 6-1 league win, but he is expected to be fit for the Foxes' next Championship game against Charlton on February 19.

"He has a knock on his knee. It's not something we're too concerned about but he won't be considered for Tuesday," said Pearson.

"Hopefully he will be available for the next league game, and that's what we're looking at."

The City boss added: "We don't have a big squad in which you've got a lot of fringe players; we've got a tight squad of good players. I'll be looking to freshen it up where I need to but essentially we're looking to get the side right so we can win the game."

Huddersfield could be short of strikers if James Vaughan fails to recover from a blow to the face.

Vaughan lost a tooth in the goalless weekend draw with Cardiff and is doubtful, while on-loan Jermaine Beckford (hamstring) is still sidelined and would not have had permission to play against his former club anyway.

Another forward, Lee Novak, is still not fit after missing out on Saturday with a toe injury, so caretaker managers Mark Lillis and Steve Eyre are hoping Vaughan recovers in time to partner Sean Scannell up front.

Midfielder Neil Danns is another Leicester loanee who will play no part, so Chris Atkinson or Jordan Sinnott will vie for a recall to the starting line-up, while goalkeeper Alex Smithies is expected to retain the captain's armband in the absence of defender Peter Clarke (concussion).

Oscar Gobern is unlikely to be involved due to a tight hamstring. The midfielder returned to contention following summer ankle surgery for the first time this season in the recent defeat at Derby, but was not involved against Cardiff.

Winger Danny Ward (foot) and midfielder Keith Southern (Achilles) remain sidelined.

The winners will host Wigan in the fifth round on Sunday.






Source: PA