Nugent Out Of Owls Trip

But experienced defender Paul Konchesky has resumed full training following a hamstring strain and could be in contention for the weekend.

Nugent, City’s nine-goal leading marksman, scored twice in last Saturday’s 6-0 demolition of Ipswich, before being withdrawn after just 30 minutes with a recurrence of the neck injury he sustained against Nottingham Forest seven days previously.

And as the Foxes prepare for Saturday’s trip to Hillsborough, Pearson admits the forward is unlikely to be among those making the journey to South Yorkshire.

“He’s probably going to be missing for the next couple of games,” Pearson said.

“It’s unfortunate because he’s been playing well and scoring goals for us, but we just have to make sure it is right before he is exposed again to game situations.

“He’s really disappointed because he’s a lad that likes to be out on the field and scoring goals, which he has been doing very well for us, but he’ll be missing.”

With Martyn Waghorn and Marko Futacs both on-target against the Tractor Boys and Jamie Vardy fit again following a calf injury, Pearson has a few options at his disposal to fill the void left by Nugent’s absence.

And while he may have a challenge on his hands to displace Jeff Schlupp at left-back, the return of Konchesky following a fortnight out is an added bonus.

“Last weekend’s game saw Marko get his first goal for us, Martyn Waghorn cap a very good display with a goal and we got Jamie Vardy back on the field,” Pearson pointed out.

“We have one or two options and we’ll go into the game with confidence.

“Paul is training with us again so that gives us a nice little dilemma for the weekend, but I’d rather have those dilemmas than not so it’s good to have him back training.

“He comes straight back into the frame.”

Stay logged on to lcfc.com for more build-up to Saturday’s game.