Nugent: Joining The Best In The World

And with his future now secure, the 29-year-old forward is determined to build on the most productive spell of his career, in the team that helped him finally break the 20-goal barrier at the 13th time of asking.

“Last season was the best of my career in terms of goals and assists, but I wouldn’t have managed it without the lads around me so I’m really pleased the squad has been kept together,” Nugent told lcfc.com.

“I think we’ve got a great chance of doing well in the Premier League – the best league in the world.”

It’s been 10 years since City competed in the top flight, but Nugent is one member of the current squad who has experienced life in the Premier League before.

The Liverpudlian made 64 appearances in the top flight with Portsmouth and Burnley – most recently with the Clarets four years ago.

He describes it as a test the entire squad should be relishing, but warns that mistakes will be severely punished by the world’s elite.

“It’s been four years since that loan at Burnley. I managed to score six goals there, but we ended up going down. This time I’m hoping I can beat that tally, get into double figures and keep Leicester City in the division,” he said.

“It goes without saying that the quality of opposition goes up a few notches. People sometimes say you actually get a bit more time on the ball in the Premier League compared to the Championship, but if you give it away you can really be punished.

“There’s so much quality, but all the lads are excited to be playing among some of the best players in the world, so we’ll see where it takes us.”