Nolberto Solano believes he is ready for a place in the Leicester City starting line-up.

The 35-year-old Peru international made his debut as a late substitute for City in their encouraging draw with Newcastle United on Saturday and the experience has given Solano the taste for more.

Solano hadn't played since the end of the Peruvian season in mid-December and he admitted he had been unable to do much intense training.

However, after joining City until the end of the season, Solano has been working hard on the training ground, especially as he had to wait to make his debut because of a delay in City gaining international clearance, and he now believes he is ready to face Blackpool on Saturday from the first whistle.

"The last game I played was about four weeks ago when the season in Peru finished in December," he said.

"Every day my fitness will get better and better and, hopefully by the next game, I will be ready and the gaffer will decide to play me from the beginning.

"Making my debut was really important and, although I only played a few minutes, I want to do my very best for this club.

"This is a great opportunity for me to get back into English football."

Solano said he was impressed by the performances of his new team-mates as they battled for an hour with just 10 men against the league leaders.

Richie Wellens' dismissal for two bookable offences left City with a mountain to climb but Solano said he was pleased to see City's battling qualities.

"It was a great result after going down to 10 men so everyone was very pleased in the dressing room," he said.

"Everyone worked very hard and now we are looking forward to the next game and getting this fantastic club back into the play-off places and into the Premier League.

"The performance against Newcastle was fantastic. Everyone is pleased and everyone is working hard as a unit.

"The manager makes sure everyone is working hard because if you want to do well you have to work as a unit.

"We could have taken three points. We had our chances but we have to be satisfied because with 10 men it was very tough. But I think it was a fair result."

Solano was also delighted by the reception he received from the City supporters, as well as the visiting Newcastle fans, when he replaced Matty Fryatt in the 84th minute.

"They were great," he said. "Obviously, I was only on the pitch for 10 minutes but I heard the crowd. Generally in England, every club has great supporters and hopefully this year we can do our best and make everyone happy."