Leicester v Leeds. Early team news

Last updated : 13 April 2009 By Foxes First
The on-loan Arsenal full-back missed the victory at Hereford with the injury that forced him off at half-time against Carlisle.

Manager Nigel Pearson could opt to freshen up his side for the Foxes' second game in only three days.

Defender Patrick Kisnorbo, who has recently returned to the first-team squad after a lengthy absence through injury, and midfielders Max Gradel and Astrit Ajdarevic offer options to Pearson.

The League One leaders are expected to stick with their strikeforce of Matty Fryatt and Steve Howard - a partnership that has plundered 42 goals this season - so Paul Dickov should continue on the bench.

A victory for the Foxes in the lunchtime kick-off will put them on the brink of promotion - and their instant return to the Championship could then be confirmed later in the afternoon if MK Dons fail to beat Bristol Rovers.

Leeds manager Simon Grayson will continue to assess the fitness of injured duo Jermaine Beckford and Sam Sodje.

Top scorer Beckford (thigh) and on-loan defender Sodje (leg) missed the games against Leyton Orient and Stockport but the club are refusing to rule out possible returns.

Defender Lubomir Michalik and midfielders Andy Hughes and Andy Robinson are amongst those who will be hoping to be recalled to the starting line up.

But midfield starlet Fabian Delph is available to play once again as his two-match ban for 10 yellow cards this season does not kick in until after this match.

Leeds' win against Stockport on Saturday was their ninth successive victory at Elland Road and equalled a 19-year-old record set by Howard Wilkinson's promotion-winning side of 1989/90.

Sporting Life