James Ready For Pre-Season Tests

Signed from Manchester United in the summer of 2012, James has blossomed to form a key part of Nigel Pearson’s fiercly competitive central midfield stable, which also houses the considerable talents of Drinkwater, Andy King and Dean Hammond. 

It’s those players again that will be pushing James for a starting position next term, but with that competition and team spirit driving them on, it’s a battle to look forward to for them all. 

“I can’t wait now,” James told LCFC.com. “We’re back in for testing on 1 July before pre-season starts the following week and I’m sure all the lads will be buzzing. 

“It’s been a long break this season, finishing on 3 May, so I’m looking forward to getting back in and cracking on with the games as soon as possible.” 

The Foxes kick off the season with a King Power Stadium clash against Premier League side Everton, who they will also face out in Hong Kong for a pre-season friendly on 27 July, before a host of tough fixtures to follow. 

However James doesn’t expect that match to reveal too much about what it will be like to face the Toffees on the opening day. He added: ““It’s funny how that’s happened [playing Everton in pre-season], but I wouldn’t ready too much into it. The game is early in pre-season and will be completely different to the opening day of the season. 

“We’ll use it as an exercise to get ready for the new season, but it won’t make a difference with it being Everton.” 

But for the former Old Trafford youngster it’s the tie with his previous club that will be the standout game on the fixture list. He revealed: “For me it was the Manchester United games that I looked out for, for obvious reasons, but I was a bit taken aback with how quickly we’re playing some of the sides that finished in the top six last season. 

“I had an eye out for Burnley (James was a boyhood Clarets fan) too and they’ve got Chelsea at home so it’s just as tough a start for them. The main priority for us is to make sure we stay in the league.”