Nigel Pearson's team selection against Real Valladolid tomorrow (3pm) should give Leicester City fans the strongest clue yet as to his preferred line-up for the first Championship clash against Swansea.

The City boss says he "won't be tinkering too much" for the Walkers Stadium friendly game with the Spanish La Liga side.

Pearson, right, said: "There will be changes during the match but I don't intend to make too many.

"We're getting close now and I think everyone wants the season to start. Real Valladolid are a bit of an unknown quantity for us as we are for them."

Pearson's ideal scenario would be for star striker Matty Fryatt to play at least some part in the final friendly encounter of the pre-season campaign. Fryatt has targeted the Valladolid match for a return after complications following a hernia operation. But that rests on the man who scored 32 goals last season not suffering any reaction after a course of antibiotics cleared an infection in his groin.

Dany N'Guessan's favoured spot is in a wide role but he could continue in attack alongside Steve Howard if Fryatt does not make it.

Definitely in line to start is Bulgarian international Aleksandar Tunchev, with Pearson delighted at his progress since undergoing knee surgery in January.

He said: "We've been giving him pitch time but thought we would start him (at Chesterfield) to see how that differs to when he goes on as a substitute.

"He would be the first to admit he is a little bit rusty, but it is great to have him back involved and getting some competitive action. The more he plays, the quicker he will be back to his best because he is a fantastic asset for us."

Right-back Robbie Neilson is expected to play some part in the clash although he is suspended for the first two games of the campaign.

Michael Morrison has switched to the right from the centre during the pre-season campaign and a good showing against Valladolid could secure the spot for him in the opener against Swansea in a week's time.

Another player with a point to prove is midfielder Nicky Adams, who has had an impressive build-up programme. The Welsh under-21 international is looking to nail down a regular spot in the most competitive area of the team with Andy King, who should shake off an ankle knock, Matt Oakley, Richie Wellens, Max Gradel and Lloyd Dyer also vying for a spot.

And he is expecting a tough test against the Spanish club.

Adams said: "They are going to be technically very good. We will have to be on our game."

City (from): Weale, Logan, Morrison, Neilson, O'Neill, Tunchev, Hobbs, Brown, Berner, Powell, Gradel, Adams, Oakley, Wellens, King, Dyer, N'Guessan, Fryatt, Howard, Chambers, Dickov.