Nugent Sets Goals Target

The 27-year-old took his tally to 14 for the season to cap off a battling display from the Foxes in a 2-1 win over a spirited Dean Saunders side.

That total is now just one short of Nugent’s record of 15 npower Championship goals in one season, achieved for City in 2011/12, and for Preston North End back in 2006/07 – when he also scored on his debut for England.

“I’ve got 18 games left to grab six, and it’s realistic that I can get those 20 goals, that’s my target,” said Nugent after the match.

“Even if I hit 20 I can hopefully set myself a new target and score the goals that can keep us in the top two spots and get us to the Premier League.

“At this stage of the season it’s probably the best return I’ve had in my career so far.

“I’m 27 now and I should be coming to my peak and the manager and the players seem to be getting the best out of me.

“My last three goals have been important goals. I scored the winner at Burnley, I scored the winner against Middlesbrough, and I scored the winner against Wolves.

“I seem to be getting important goals that win us three points at the moment so I’m happy.”

The next chance the former Portsmouth and Burley man will have to add to his tally will be away at Peterborough United on Saturday 9 February, when City will look to make it six league wins on the bounce against Darren Ferguson’s relegation-battling side.

Just two of Nugent’s 14 strikes have come away from home this season – against Watford and former club Burnley, as the front man seems to have developed the happy habit of scoring at King Power Stadium.

He added: “I like scoring here, and hopefully I can start chipping in with some away goals at Peterborough. I’m happy with my return so far and the team performances.

“We’ve got great belief now. The last time we got to first in the league we didn’t win for five or six games, but we’ve been in the top two for a few games now and we’ve done better than the last occasion. Hopefully we can stay there.”