Tom Kennedy believes victory against Derby County at Pride Park tonight would kick-start Leicester City's promotion push.

Amid their FA Cup exploits, City are facing a massive challenge to gatecrash the Championship play-offs.

Following games in midweek, there is now an 11-point gap between 13th-placed City and sixth-placed Middlesbrough.

However, 26-year-old Kennedy believes it is still possible, and says the fifth-round win at Norwich gives City renewed confidence ahead of their clash with their East Midlands' rivals, without a win in six.

"I just think the new players are starting to bed in, especially big Wes Morgan who is a huge presence around the place, and the tide can quickly turn," said Kennedy.

"Winning against Norwich gave us confidence and winning at Derby could really get us going. It could all stem from there into a snowball effect.

"When you have won three games, and then four, you start creeping into the picture with five or six games to go."

The victory at Carrow Road has certainly given City more belief, said Kennedy, who was manager Nigel Pearson's final signing during his first spell.

"It was great and the manner in which we did it as well was good," he said. "We passed the ball well and rode our luck at times because they are a good team with good players.

"Overall, I felt we thoroughly deserved the win but we need to kick on from there because the tempo and the commitment we showed was fantastic."

Kennedy is hoping to retain his place in the starting line-up against the Rams, having been a surprise inclusion ahead of regular left-back Paul Konchesky, but he said he is taking nothing for granted .

"Things can change from day to day," he said. "The gaffer has his own ideas and he has a full squad when all the players are fit. He will pick the team which he feels is right to win the game.

"It does give encouragement to the lads who are not in the side. You never quite know so you have to be ready."

Kennedy added: "You can't switch off and become complacent. You have to keep yourself right because you never know when you will be needed which is something I have learned. You don't know what is around the corner."

City will be without Darius Vassell (knee), Martyn Waghorn (hamstring), Jeff Schlupp (knee), Paul Gallagher (hamstring), Chris Weale (knee) and Matt Oakley (groin).