City Braced For New PL2 Campaign
- Leicester City's Under-23s ranks have just one pre-season friendly remaining this summer
- The Foxes welcome Nottingham Forest's youngsters to Belvoir Drive on Monday
- Manchester United are their first Premier League 2 Division 1 opponents
- City have enjoyed a successful summer, with trips to Hong Kong, Jersey and France
The Foxes will open the new domestic season against 2016 champions Manchester United at Belvoir Drive on Monday 14 August (1pm kick-off).
Back in May, on the back of securing their top-flight status with a 4-1 success at Tottenham Hotspur, City embarked on a thrilling HKFC Citi Soccer Sevens campaign in Hong Kong.
Under the guidance of assistant coach Ben Petty, they returning to the UK with a 100 per cent record, winning 3-0 in the final against Aston Villa.
Following a well-deserved summer break, Steve Beaglehole’s side returned for pre-season in early July.
Shortly after, they flew out to Jersey for a four-day training and conditioning exercise on the Channel Islands which culminated in a 2-1 success over the national side.
The summer schedule saw City take on professional opposition who, in many cases, were further along the line towards full fitness.
Beaglehole’s men then enjoyed a 3-1 success over Sheffield Wednesday’s Under-23s, with Dylan Watts (2) and Josh Gordon finding the net.
The following weekend, their next test came at Nuneaton Town, managed by former Fox Tommy Wright.
Despite a brace from Ashley Chambers, another ex-City forward at Liberty Way, Josh Gordon, Josh Eppiah and Sam Hughes struck to secure an entertaining 3-3 draw.
Last Friday, Leicester were in northern France for the prestigious Tournoi Europeen.
They opened with a 1-0 reverse against SC Caen before also falling 2-0 and 1-0 to Standard Liège and Stade Brestois respectively in one of the most competitive youth tournaments in Europe.
However, on Sunday morning, it became clear that City were merely saving their best for last; a magnificent 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain.
Josh Knight struck in the 52nd minute for the Foxes to end their stay in Brittany on a high-note ahead of the new campaign.
"Over the past few seasons, on the back of the Club's recent success at all levels, the Academy has made great strides to facilitate opportunities like this,” said Beaglehole.
“In my time at Leicester City, I have seen first-hand just how far the whole Club has progressed."
Following a 2-0 success over Welsh outfit The New Saints last week, the Foxes next welcome Nottingham Forest's U23s to Belvoir Drive on Monday.
Then, the real business starts with the visit of Manchester United seven days later before a trip to face 2016 champions Everton at Goodison Park the following Friday.
You can follow the Development Squad's fortunes right here on LCFC.com throughout the 2017/18 campaign.