Yann Kermorgant is close to securing a permanent move to Leicester City.

The French striker also looks set to retain his place in the City starting line-up for today's Championship clash at Scunthorpe (3pm).

Manager Nigel Pearson said: "We will hopefully get his contract situation sorted out quite soon. It will be good to get it finalised."

Kermorgant wants the security of a long-term deal at City to help him and his fiancee settle in the country.

The 27-year-old joined City from Stade Reims in August on a short-term contract which runs until January.

Pearson has praised Kermorgant's contribution to the City cause. He said: "I'm very pleased with how he has come on and hopefully that will continue.

"He is a good finisher, who is technically very good and he has a real will to win. He is a driven man."

Kermorgant, who comes from Brittany, was handed a new role in a tweak to City's formation for last weekend's win against Plymouth at the Walkers Stadium.

He impressed on his home debut when he operated "in the hole'' behind front two Martyn Waghorn and Matty Fryatt.

Pearson said: "Against Plymouth, we knew we were facing a side who wanted to make it difficult for us, so we tried a different formation. It worked pretty well in opening them up and it is nice to have options."

Kermorgant made his full City debut in the 1-0 victory at Middlesbrough in September and retained his place for the goalless draw against Coventry five days later.

He then slipped out of the picture, but defender Wayne Brown says Kermorgant had been pushing hard for a recall with impressive showings on the training ground.

He said: "Yann has been frustrated. He was chucked in for a couple of games and then brought out, so ever since then he has been gunning to get back into the team and prove a point to the manager.

"He has done well, playing in the hole behind the front two. He is good in the air, where he has a strong presence, and centre-halves have found it difficult to cope with him.

"He has probably given the manager a few more selection headaches, but that's what the gaffer wants."