Howard's role will be 'crucial' as Leicester City bid to keep play-off hopes alive
Craig Shakespeare believes Steve Howard has a 'crucial' role to play as Leicester City bid to keep their play-off bid alive.
The 33-year-old striker has sat out the last three City games, including Sunday's first-leg home defeat to Cardiff City, because of suspension.
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Steve Howard
However, he can return for the second leg at the Cardiff City Stadium tomorrow night and the City assistant manager said Howard was fired up for his return.
Howard was in the best form of the campaign until he was shown a straight red card against Watford, but Shakespeare said the big striker is determined to pick up where he had left off.
"Steve Howard will have a very crucial part to play," he said. "He was coming back into form before his red card and I have to say that, in training, he has been on fire.
"His effort, commitment and everything about him has been really good. Hopefully, if we start him, he will be on top of his game."
Shakespeare said the pressure was off City after their first-leg defeat as Cardiff will start as overwhelming favourites to finish the job on their home turf. He believes that will suit City.
"We are disappointed to be going there a goal down but, as we said to the boys after the game, it is only half-time and, rather than just 45 minutes, we have 90 minutes to claw it back," he said.
"Maybe it takes some pressure off us because, had we gone there with a lead, we would have been favourites. Now there is no pressure on us.
"We were always the underdogs, especially at Cardiff with their home record, so we go there knowing what we have to do. We will be going there with a positive mindset to try to get the result we need.
"The onus is on Cardiff to a certain extent because the balance has swung in their favour. But everyone knows in football the underdogs sometimes come out on top.
"The players are really positive about it. We have been able to turn around a one-goal deficit away from home before. We know what we have to do and we are prepared to do it."
Premier League referee Howard Webb will take charge of tomorrow night's game.
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by Bob Jones, London
Wednesday, May 12 2010, 9:39AM
“Well done DJ, finally did something for Leicester - knocked F*rest into another season with the Sh*ggers. Part 1 achieved. Part 2 tonight. Blackpool without DJ at Wembley yes please. Cardiff will have seen F*rest f**ck it up at home and are probably getting a little nervous in their valleys”
by DJ, Wood cutter
Wednesday, May 12 2010, 9:29AM
“Oh i do like to be beside the seaside
Oh I do like to be beside the sea
My name is Dudley C
I'm orf to Wemberlee
Another three
Another three”
by Richard, Dorset
Wednesday, May 12 2010, 9:27AM
“Foxes meet- Weymouth
Guys because tickets were in the end available some of the guys including me and Weymouth Fox are going to Cardiff
there will be a handful at yeates bar
I always said - if we can get tickets... a few left still i think”
by Richard, dorset
Wednesday, May 12 2010, 9:02AM
“How good was that- to watch a City player put the trees out- how much is DJ worth now?
He is my hero.
Andy- cmon mate - we can do it- look what Blackpool did- i admit i have a nagging feeling in my gut
Fred- You were right”
by Fred, Leicester
Wednesday, May 12 2010, 8:52AM
“Good night last night.
Trees out , Ollie at Wembley and most of all DJ showed what a great striker we are missing.
Superb finishing 11 goals for the rocklickers and approaching 20 goals for the season.
Leaves all our strikers in the shade and unfortunately for us shows what might have been.
First half of the forecast correct unfortunately I think the second prediction will happen tonight and the Taffs will be playing Ollie and DJ at Wembley.”