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Preston Pre-match - Wellens touch and go for Saturday

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Bluearmy

Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson has described influential midfielder Richie Wellens as "touch and go'' for tomorrow's visit of Preston North End.

Wellens has not trained since limping off in the second half of last week's 3-3 draw at Watford with a hamstring injury.

He underwent a scan on Monday to determine the severity of the injury but the results have not been too bad, as Pearson has not completely ruled out the talented play-maker. However, Andy King is on stand-by to replace Wellens alongside Matt Oakley in the City engine room for the Preston game at the Walkers Stadium.

"Touch and go is probably the safest way to describe it," said Pearson, who plays his cards close to his chest when it comes to injuries. "He has not trained so far this week so we will see.

"He has been an important player for us so far but, like anyone else, if you have to do without them then it is someone else's opportunity.

"He is one player in a squad and we have a decent squad, so if someone misses out it is another player's opportunity. That is the strength and depth of this squad.

"Selection issues are not something I worry about. I am glad to have a few selection dilemmas.

"We do have some good players available and it is about getting the selection right so we have the best chance of winning the game."

Wellens has quickly become a key man for City since his arrival from Doncaster Rovers for £1.2 million in the summer.

His vision and passing ability have complimented his midfield partner Oakley's all-action style, and his departure last week at Vicarage Road coincided with City's dramatic collapse against the Hornets

Oakley said if Wellens does not recover in time for Preston it would be a big blow for City, but he was confident King could do a good job as his replacement.

"Richie is a big loss because he is a quality player for us," said the City skipper.

"He keeps the ball ticking over for us in midfield, but we have a player in Andy King who played very well for us last season. He can step in and take on Richie's role."

Bluearmy

Leicester City striker Steve Howard has said he is not concerned by his current goal drought.

Howard has not scored for 11 games, going back to his last strike against Leeds in April last season.

His barren spell has left some fans questioning how long manager Nigel Pearson will persevere with the 33-year-old, especially with Dany N'Guessan, who scored the late equaliser at Watford last weekend, and Martyn Waghorn waiting for their chance.

Howard, who has a reasonably healthy goals record of nearly one in every three games for City, had several chances to break his duck at Vicarage Road last Saturday but failed to take them.

However, Howard said he was confident he will soon be back on the goal trail and added he was still pleased with his own form.

Howard has become a valuable foil for strike partner Matty Fryatt, who has scored eight times in 10 games so far this season, and the upbeat Geordie said he was happy to be a provider for Fryatt.

"It is not something I worry about because we are scoring goals as a team," said Howard.

"It happened last season and it is just the way it has worked out this season.

"Matty Fryatt is flying and I am over the moon for him. Hopefully I can keep setting them up and he will keep banging them in. The gaffer has put a lot of confidence into us and he is playing me every week, but if I can keep battling away and try to create chances for Matty, then that will do me.

"It can affect strikers but it is not weighing on my mind. I know it happens and it has happened at periods during my career, and it will happen again, but you just have to get on with it.

"I would be panicking if I wasn't getting chances because I would be doing something wrong. The chances are there but I just need one to go in off my backside.

"I am happy with the way I am playing and, as long as the gaffer is happy, then I am happy.

"Competition for places is fantastic for any side because it keeps you on your toes and makes you put in performances. It is all good."

Pearson said he was not too concerned who scored the goals as long as City continued to pick up points in the Championship, but he admitted the rest of the squad needed to take some of the strain off top scorer Fryatt, who has contributed all but five of the side's goals tally this season.

"It is important to get goals throughout the team but it has not materialised so far," said Pearson.

"I know we have goals within the squad so I am not worried.

"We will have to start sharing them about. Obviously Matty Fryatt has scored eight so far this season which is a good return, but of course we will need to score goals from other areas and last year our midfield scored a number of goals.

"This year we need to replicate that at some point to have the chance of being successful.

"But the most important thing is to get the right result and, outside of that, I am not really too concerned who is scoring."

Wasyls Pec Deck

Wasyls Pec Deck

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off his arse ala Fryatt against the Blades. A goal will come soon for Howard, anyone remember the joy on the touchline when he scored against Peterborough n the 4-0 last season, after a similar baron spell in front of goal. Leg end

Fox92

Fox92

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If he hasn't trained all week and is only 'touch and go' whats the point in risking it, don't play him. Remember Clemence, when Holloway brought him on 'after' his injury and then in that game he got injured again, look at him now. We don't want that happening to any player, never mind Richie Wellens.

As for Howard, a goal will come. He hasn't scored yet, but he takes bumps and knocks all game just to help out the team and to be honest, where would we be without him? A goal will come though.

Edmund

Edmund

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http://www.lcfc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10274~1807718,00.html

City boss Nigel Pearson is not reading too much into Preston's 5-1 drubbing by Spurs in the Carling Cup on Wednesday night, as he prepares to face them at the Walkers Stadium on Saturday.

He is convinced that they will still be strong opposition and felt the scoreline at Deepdale might not have been a true reflection of the action.

He said: "They played very well, they were unlucky and it is not something I see having a lot of bearing. I think they will feel that in that game they were slightly unfortunate to be on the receiving end of five goals."

The Foxes are back on home ground ready to keep their good run here going, especially after letting that 2-0 lead slip at Watford last weekend and Pearson said: "It is always good to play at home and after last week it is important to get back playing again so we are looking forward to it but it will be another tough game. They have had a good start and they will be a difficult team to beat."

Preston knocked City out of the Carling Cup, of course, but this is a different game, a different competition, with the visitors two points ahead of City in fourth place and Pearson said: "We know they are a good side and have a lot of experience at this level but like I said, it is an opportunity to get out there and put on another good performance. I am sure it will be a good game because we are two similar sides in many ways and I am sure it will be very competitive."

Despite conceding three goals at Watford, the City boss is keeping calm.

"Of course we worked on things this week, no doubt about that, but the players have generally been very solid. The defensive play is usually pretty steady, so I am not going to overreact to dropping two points in that fashion but we have moved on from that now."

City midfielder, Richie Wellens, limped out of the action at Watford and looking ahead to Saturday, Pearson said: "It is touch and go. That is probably the safest thing to say. He has not trained so far but we will see. Like everyone else, if you have got to do without them then it is an opportunity for someone else. If he is missing he is missing, but again he is one player in the squad and we have a decent squad here. If he misses out it is another player's opportunity."

Guest

Guest

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How could you forget that Leicester City fans fear over the future of Fryatt :D:P

Didn't think it was worth mentioning :D

Guest

Guest

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This. :thumbup:

although I bet now I've said that he'll get a goal or two! :scarf:

I hope now you've said that he gets a goal or two :D

Wellens took part in full training today, I believe.

Top banana

marbelladave

marbelladave

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Wellens took part in full training today, I believe.

Good to hear, but it's a hamstring injury!

Be very, very sure before you play him.

BTW Anyone on here have any idea if the Tunch is fit to go 90 minutes.?

I think we are desperate for him to return.

maddog

maddog

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Wellens must play or we will be overrun in midfield.

I would like to see a Howard hat trick, if only he could actually kick the ball cleanly.

marbelladave

marbelladave

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Wellens must play or we will be overrun in midfield.

I would like to see a Howard hat trick, if only he could actually kick the ball cleanly.

If we continue to play 4-4-2 we will get over run, happens most games. Assuming Wellens does not play move Berner forward to play on Kings left with Oakley to his right.

4-3-3.........The thinking man's 4-4-2..... :o:D :D

Bert

Bert

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Good to hear, but it's a hamstring injury!

Be very, very sure before you play him.

BTW Anyone on here have any idea if the Tunch is fit to go 90 minutes.?

I think we are desperate for him to return.

You do know that Pearson knows what he's doing, don't you? Wellens will only play if 100%, we've got adequate cover for this position, and where Wellens will be a huge loss, I'd rather have him missing for one game than say 5-10.

Tunch I'm hoping will start tomorrow!

marbelladave

marbelladave

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You do know that Pearson knows what he's doing, don't you? Wellens will only play if 100%, we've got adequate cover for this position, and where Wellens will be a huge loss, I'd rather have him missing for one game than say 5-10.

Tunch I'm hoping will start tomorrow!

Your faith in Pearson does you credit. I hope it is full justified. After all we never see players picked who are carrying knocks do we.

Just run me through that 'adequate cover' we have in center midfield, I must have missed that!

Bert

Bert

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Your faith in Pearson does you credit. I hope it is full justified. After all we never see players picked who are carrying knocks do we.

Just run me through that 'adequate cover' we have in center midfield, I must have missed that!

Andy King. Nicky Adams. Bruno Berner. Stephen Clemence is back in full training. That's good enough for me.

Carrying a knock is completely different to being injured. Wellens isn't carrying or wasn't carrying a "knock". It was an injury which forced him to come off against Watford. Players play through "knocks" all the time.

Pearson's not stupid, he knows that if Wellens isn't fully fit, he's risking missing Wellens for more games this season, if he plays when he's not 100%.

marbelladave

marbelladave

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Andy King. Nicky Adams. Bruno Berner. Stephen Clemence is back in full training. That's good enough for me.

Carrying a knock is completely different to being injured. Wellens isn't carrying or wasn't carrying a "knock". It was an injury which forced him to come off against Watford. Players play through "knocks" all the time.

Pearson's not stupid, he knows that if Wellens isn't fully fit, he's risking missing Wellens for more games this season, if he plays when he's not 100%.

King should be playing anyway, Adams was totally ineffective in midfield against Watford and we have no idea if Clemence will ever be effective at this level again. Nowhere near good enough for me.

And I am so pleased to hear that players never hurt themselves by coming back too soon or playing with an injury.

Alf Bentley

Alf Bentley

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If Wellens isn't fit, I reckon I'd go....

Weale;

Nielson, Hobbs, Tunchev, McGivern;

Oakley, King, Berner;

Gallagher;

Howard, Fryatt

Subs: Logan, Morrison, Adams, N'Guessan, Dyer, Kermorgant, Waghorn

- We've controlled possession nicely with 3 central midfielders and would need them without Wellens, as King/Oakley could be overrun - plenty of width on bench if needed;

- Wayne Brown had a number of good games and will be back, but needs a rest just now...and Tunchev is simply the best player at the club (Wellens 2nd);

- McGivern should be a decent option if he's at Man City and been playing internationals;

- Would like to see Morrison on bench - he's done little wrong and deserves to know he's still in the mix.

- Ross Wallace v. Nielson will be interesting. I like Nielson. He knows he lacks pace, so he stands off more and compensates by good positional play and good tackling

StanSP

StanSP

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As far as I can see every one wants a certain player to start his first league game of the season tomorrow against Preston :D .

Well you will be happy then.

Kermorgant's playing then

:whistle:

:ph34r:

jimmer

jimmer

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As far as I can see every one wants a certain player to start his first league game of the season tomorrow against Preston :D .

Well you will be happy then.

excellent news!

Berner up to replace wellens then.......happy with that :thumbup:

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