Leicester v Boro preview

Flying Foxes looking to enter the play-offs on a high

Last updated: 1st May 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Leicester v Boro preview

Pearson: In fine form

Related links

Teams

Also see

Leicester will be looking to maintain their momentum when they face Middlesbrough on the final day.

The Foxes already know they will be involved in the play-off mix, but will want to prolong a recent run which has brought four straight victories.

Boro must wait until next season before launching a promotion push of their own and will be looking forward to putting a frustrating campaign behind them.

Leicester team news

Leicester midfielder Richie Wellens should be available again on Sunday.

A hamstring injury ruled him out last weekend against Preston, where the Foxes clinched a play-off spot with a 1-0 win at Deepdale.

Manager Nigel Pearson received a further boost this week with the news that captain Matt Oakley and joint-leading scorer Matty Fryatt are expected to be fit to feature in the play-offs.

Oakley has been out for three weeks with an ankle injury, but the midfielder has had a pain-killing injection and has been able to train and could even be on the bench against Boro.

Striker Fryatt, who has scored 12 goals this season, has not played since breaking his jaw in a collision with Doncaster captain Brian Stock in early February.

Fellow forward Steve Howard serves the second game of a three-match suspension.

Boro team news

Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan is facing yet another selection headache ahead of the trip to the Walkers Stadium.

Loan signing Stephen McManus, whose spell on Teesside will come to an end after the game, is rated at only 50-50 with a calf problem and, with David Wheater (ankle) out and Emanuel Pogatetz (knee) doubtful, the manager is short on options in central defence.

Midfielders Julio Arca and Jeremie Aliadiere (both calf) and full-back Andrew Taylor (groin) are also struggling.

Utility man Rhys Williams, who has been playing with a pelvic injury for weeks, will not figure as he attempts to prove his fitness ahead of Australia's World Cup campaign.

Willo Flood (knee), Tony McMahon (stress fracture of the foot), Seb Hines (ankle and medial ligament) and Matthew Bates (cruciate ligament) are all making progress, but remain on the sidelines.

SkyBet
Click here for more betting