Leicester City so keen to bounce back against Plymouth – Richie Wellens

Richie Wellens has said Leicester City are champing at the bit to get back to winning ways against Plymouth Argyle tomorrow.

The City midfielder said the players were determined to dispel the memory of their last game, a home defeat to West Bromwich Albion two weeks ago, by dispatching the Pilgrims.

Wellens revealed the squad had stepped up the intensity in training during the international break and were in great shape to face Paul Sturrock's side.

"We have had the two-week break and it is disappointing we have had that break after a defeat," said Wellens.

"It makes you want to come back quicker and we are champing at the bit now.

"Training over the last two weeks has really stepped up, not just the tempo but the quality as well.

"We are starting to see in training that the players are starting to gel. Hopefully we will see that on the pitch as well.

"I think we are in a good position. I like to think of us being equal third.

"If your team has been together for two or three years, like Preston, you see that from the start. But, when new players come in, and there are a lot of young players, they want to see if they can play at this level. It is a step up for some players.

"We are mentally getting used to this league and we are starting to see that now."

The Pilgrims have climbed off the bottom of the Championship after a terrible start to the season, when they picked up just two points from nine games, but Wellens believes City must overcome sides like Plymouth if they are to maintain their promotion challenge.

"If we want to get where we want to be, these are the kind of teams we need to be beating," said the 29-year-old.

"Against the top 10 teams, you need to get your fair share of points, but the bottom 10 you need to be taking four or six points off them a season."

A big crowd is expected tomorrow for the Mercury-sponsored game, which is being used to mark the 125th anniversary of the club, but Wellens warned the players must ignore the big occasion. The former Manchester United trainee has said the near-capacity crowds for the visits of Derby County and West Brom may have made the players try too hard.

"We had big crowds against Derby and West Brom and I think we were disappointed with our performances against them," he said.

"We were champing at the bit before the game and we really wanted to play well, and we hoped it was a big crowd.

"But sometimes I think you can try too hard and it can backfire on you. You do things that don't help each other."