City news: We can cope with injuries – Pearson

Leicester City's heavy forthcoming schedule will stretch resources – but manager Nigel Pearson has no doubt they have the strength to maintain their lofty position in the League One table.

In four of the next five weeks, City will be playing midweek fixtures and, while right-back Kerrea Gilbert is ruled out of today's game against Northampton Town, defenders Patrick Kisnorbo and Joe Mattock and now striker Paul Dickov are all back from injury.

This is a timely boost for Pearson, who said: "We have got a few midweeks on the bounce.

"I think it is inevitable you will pick up injuries along the way and that is where the squad ethic comes into play.

"We had a run with an unchanged side and I had hoped it would last longer, but it very rarely happens. I am fairly satisfied we have depth in most areas and, even considering we have had two draws on the trot, the spirit is high and we have confidence in ourselves which is the important thing."

Gilbert's hamstring injury apart, City have escaped great damage to their first-choice line-up and Pearson is quick to give credit where it is deserved.

He said: "We have not been fortunate, we have been very careful. That is where preparation and recovery comes into play.

"Over the course of a season, you will pick up injuries. You can't really prevent the match-day knocks.

"The ones you get during games are, to a large extent, unavoidable, but we do work hard with the whole staff to minimise the risks so that we have as many players available as possible. The fact that we do have so many players available is testament to the hard work the staff put in."

City have also shown great mental strength, too. In their biggest test at Oldham last Saturday, they took the initiative, and the lead, and were only foiled by an exceptional strike for the equaliser.

On Tuesday night, against a resolute Walsall side, they battled back twice to level for a point which may have been a disappointment but which still took some achieving.

Pearson said: "We need to be mentally strong on a weekly basis and on a season-long basis as well. We felt frustration the other night but we can't get sidetracked. It is about doing enough over the season to get promotion.

"I have said from day one we will have spells where it won' t go our way and we have to be able to deal with that. I am very positive. We have a game against Northampton that we are really looking forward to.

"Whatever stage of the season you are at – the beginning, the end or, as we are now, 11 games into the league campaign – my philosophy has got to be the same. Whatever is happening, we have to remain focused on what the ultimate goal is and we are on track."