Leicester City hero Nugent reveals his neck injury was serious

Two-goal hero David Nugent has revealed the full extent of his serious neck injury.

City's top-scorer was a surprise inclusion on the subs' bench in Saturday's 4-1 win over East Midlands rivals Derby.

Nugent came on to score twice and make the game – and third in the table – safe for City.

Nugent had been struggling to sleep and was in pain with a slipped disc in his neck.

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City boss Nigel Pearson revealed, after the game, that his leading striker's inclusion was a last-minute decision.

Nugent was virtually written off from facing Derby on Thursday, but he improved enough to be named as a sub.

"I didn't think I would be playing but I woke up on Friday morning and my neck felt better," said Nugent.

"It was a slipped disc and it was very painful to start with. I couldn't sleep at night and was taking sleeping pills to try and get to sleep.

"I was going to just do the warm-up on Friday morning and I felt fine, so Dave (Rennie, the physio) asked me to join in with the boxing, so I did and I felt fine.

"Then it was the full training game, and again I felt fine afterwards.

"We had a meeting after training to see if I should go into the squad and I was happy to do that. I wanted to come on and do a job, which I have done and I am delighted.

"It was a pretty serious injury and you just have to rest it. I had a scan on it and there was a bulge, so rest was the key. I haven't trained for two weeks."

Nugent's first goal was a header and he admitted as Ben Marshall's cross came in he was apprehensive about heading it.

"We went to see a neck specialist and he said it would get better day by day," he said.

"It has done and is getting stronger.

"I am still going in for treatment and I am making it stronger to protect it.

"It is pain free now, but I am still a bit weary of it. For the first goal, I was a little scared to go up and head the ball. Once it connected and it felt fine then I got more confident.

"I won a few headers after that. I was waiting for a twinge but nothing came and I came off the pitch pain free."