Beaglehole Enthused By Under-23s' Progress

- Steve Beaglehole says the Leicester City Development Squad still have their fate in their own hands

- The Under-23s have trained with the First-Team during the two-week international break this month

- Beaglehole's men are unbeaten in four matches in all competitions ahead of Manchester United clash

- The Red Devils visit King Power Stadium in Premier League 2 on Monday 10 April, 2017 (7pm KO) 

Leicester City Development Squad manager Steve Beaglehole says the international break has proven useful for the Under-23s after training alongside Craig Shakespeare’s seniors this month. 

The Foxes have not played a competitive fixture since then and must wait until Monday 10 April before their next Premier League 2 outing. 

Both sides are locked in a battle to secure their top-flight status at Under-23s level and Beaglehole hopes the experience of training alongside the First-Team will stand his squad in good stead ahead of their final four matches. 

With Admiral Muskwe out injured while Darnell Johnson and Layton Ndukwu recover from knocks, Beaglehole may have to use the full depth of his squad ahead of the double-header against United and Liverpool next month.

Beaglehole said: “We’ve picked up a few injuries, not just for Admiral, but to Darnell and Layton too. We had a game in Northern Ireland last week which went very well. The lads had the opportunity to show what they could do. 

“It’s been fantastic since Craig and Mike (Stowell) took charge because we’ve been with the First-Team almost every day. The international break meant that the seniors lost a number of players so we’ve joined in with them. 

“That has been fantastic for the young players. The break has been good in terms of opportunities to play with the First-Team and also the Club have backed us for a trip to Jersey next week for three days. We’ll be training out there which is a great opportunity.” 

Beaglehole, whose side face Liverpool at Holmes Park on Monday 17 April (2pm kick-off), also says planning is well underway for next season: “We’ve looked at two or three different things and taken stock. We’ve had the chance to discuss pre-season and our squad for next season, but we’re also keeping our foot on the accelerator in the league. 

“It’s a pity that our last two matches have only returned two points. We deserved a lot more, if we would have come out with six, it wouldn’t have been undeserved. It’s tight down there, even the likes of Manchester United are fighting to stay in the top tier. 

“It’s all there to play for. It would be fantastic if we could win the next two home matches which would virtually secure our status - and we could then approach the final two matches with a different approach.”