Eriksson: promotion a long way off

(Reuters)

New Leicester City manager Sven Goran Eriksson has admitted his side's promotion hopes remain distant after beginning his reign with a 2-0 victory over Thailand on Saturday. Leicester sit third from bottom of the Championship after taking just eight points from their opening 10 matches.

"I cannot say when we will be promoted but we will try our best," the 62-year-old, who took over a week ago, said. "Right now, our position is not good. At no point have I ever said we have to play Premier League football next season. It is very clear from the owners that they want to be in the Premier League, but whether it will take one year or more I don't know."

First-half goals from Martyn Waghorn and Paul Gallagher earned the Foxes a 2-0 win over a Thai national side managed by former England captain Bryan Robson. The visitors also had a Steve Howard effort disallowed, while both scorers struck the woodwork in a humid Supachalasai Stadium in Bangkok. The club have now returned to England ahead of Saturday's home game with Hull City.

"We did a lot of good things but other things we must be better on," Eriksson said. "It was good to see the team. They made a lot of effort to be disciplined and keep their shape."

The Swede hopes to bring in some new faces to help lift Leicester up the table. "There will probably be players arriving," he said. "I spoke to the owner and said 'How much money is on the table?' and the answer was 'You tell

me what you need', so that is good."