Pearson: No Fresh Injury Worries

The Foxes travel to Loftus Road with a squad nearing full fitness, with midfielder Dean Hammond and defender Zoumana Bakayogo set to be the only players to miss the game due to injury.
Leicester will certainly be in a positive mood after ending their four-game losing streak in the 0-0 draw with Sunderland at King Power Stadium last weekend and will look to draw from their form against the Rs last season, completing the double over them in their title-winning 2013/14 Sky Bet Championship campaign.
And while Matthew Upson made his first appearance in a blue shirt on Monday in a 2-0 win over Benfica for the Development Squad, Pearson said the former England international will not be available in time for the QPR game.
“He’s doing okay,” said the City boss of Upson. “He played half a game against Benfica for the Under-21s on Monday night and came through that fine. He’s trained with us again today so he’s making good progress. I think that will be an important factor for us moving on from here.
“We don’t have too many injuries. If you wanted to consider Matt Upson as unavailable due to the fact that he’s not been exposed to enough game football, although he’s certainly making progress, then take him out the equation.
“We only really have Dean Hammond who will be out for a couple more weeks maybe, and Zoumana Bakayogo, who are unavailable, so we’re not doing too badly.”
Pearson also spoke of the positive attitude that players must show around the Club regardless of whether they are regular starters, given the fierce level of competition throughout the side.
He added: “Providing that players are putting pressure on each other, it makes it healthy competition. As for any player not currently in the side, they have to be ready for their opportunity when it comes.
“I wouldn’t expect players to be overly happy about not playing. Having said that, when you’ve got a pretty fit squad you’re never going to keep everybody happy. I’m not in this game to be best friends with the players, I’m here to maximise the talent that we have and for there to be a very healthy competitive environment.
“As always it’s about having an element of respect around the place, so whether that be from player to player or player to staff and staff back to players – that’s what it’s about. It helps if people get on and I would like to emphasise that it is a very positive atmosphere at our Football Club.”