Leicester City transfer news: Nigel Pearson quiet on speculation linking Anthony Knockaert to Standard Liège

Foxes have Nugent and Vardy in contention for Southampton visit

(Getty)

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson has refused to be drawn on speculation linking Anthony Knockaert with a switch to Standard Liège.

The 23-year-old has been out-of-favour for the Foxes in the Premier League this season, but his stock is still high abroad after making 42 appearances during last year's Championship winning campaign.

Knockaert’s contract expires in the summer and the Belgian giants are confident of luring him away despite the Leicester hierarchy hoping he will sign a ‘very fair’ extension until 2017.

But Pearson was evasive when asked about the L'Équipe report published yesterday morning linking him with a move away.

"I can't confirm anything," he said. "I have heard the speculation but I can't confirm it because the football club have had no formal confirmation on that.

"That's all I can say on that."

The winger joined the East Midlands club from French side Guingamp in 2012 but he has made just nine top flight appearances this term.

Pearson’s men have won five in six matches as they continue to haul themselves clear of relegation, but the former Southampton boss is keen to keep his squad together in the off-season.

The Leicester boss celebrates the 1-0 win away at Burnley last month (Getty)

The 51-year-old also confirmed that in-form Welsh midfielder Andy King will be unavailable for the visit of his former club this weekend.

He continued: "I’d rule Andy out for this weekend, but he’s made very good progress and has done quite a bit of training, but not with the group today.

"If circumstances were slightly different then there would be a possibility of him being involved. He’s an important player for us so it’s in anyone’s interests to push him, so we’ll rule him out just on that basis.

"Everybody else really looks like they’ll be available for the weekend."

Meanwhile, Pearson also revealed that David Nugent, Marcin Wasilewski and Leonardo Ulloa are all in contention for the clash against Ronald Koeman's Saints.