Morgan Ready For Battle

And on the back of a pre-season that saw him find the net three times, the 30-year-old defender feels City must look to their home form for success as they prepare to face Everton this afternoon – their first Premier League outing in a decade. 

“Obviously our home form is going to be key this season,” said Morgan. “I think if we can get some good results in our home games then whatever happens away is a bonus, so we’ve got to focus on our own performance with all the right things and I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

With that hot streak of pre-season goal scoring form, Morgan in hoping to make a few more contributions in the opposition box himself this term. 

He added: “I think the most I’ve scored in a season is three goals so to score three in pre-season is unheard of for me - I just hope I can continue it into the Premier League and show I can.

 “The delivery has been great from the boys from corner situations and the set-plays in general have been fantastic, so I’m pretty confident and pleased at how things have gone and maybe I can continue it. 

“We’re confident, we had a very good season last season. We’ve got to take that confidence into the new season. “Pre-season has been okay, but obviously we’ve had to remain focussed on what it is about, which is keeping up the fitness and match practice. 

“I think the gaffer will be pleased with how it’s gone and the players have been as well. We have had some great results and hopefully we can take that confidence into the new season.” 

Morgan, who signed for the Foxes in January 2012 from midland rivals Nottingham Forest and extended his deal again in the summer, also welcomed the exciting new signings that Nigel Pearson has brought in so far in the close season. 

He added: “We’ve got some new faces in the changing rooms and they’ve settled in nicely – the big guy upfront Leo [Ulloa], Marc Albrighton; they’ve all done well and they’re all pleased to be here so there are some good new faces. 

“We’re just hoping that we can perform in the season coming ahead and we’re looking forward to it.” The Foxes gained a small insight into what it might be like against the Toffees this afternoon during their pre-season campaign, when the two sides met in Bangkok. 

On that occasion it was a goal from forward Gary Taylor-Fletcher that was enough to see Roberto Martinez’s men off in a 1-0 win, but Morgan knows that today’s game will be a different affair altogether. 

Morgan continued: “Pre-season games are about match fitness and sharpness and they (Everton) had a few key personnel in that game that weren’t playing so we can’t take too much from it. 

“At the same time we’re more than capable of playing against the likes of a team like Everton, who are a very good team. 

“I know Phil [Jagielka] from his Sheffield United days and we’ve played against each other a couple of times so we’ve had a good catch up. 

“Obviously he’s moved on to bigger and better things and he’s done very well for himself. 

“I’ve got no insight on how they’re going to play but I’ll be speaking to him again before the match to see if I can get anything else out of him!”