Uplift reflected in City gate

The Kelly Effect on Leicester City has done more than lift them out of the relegation places, it has left the club anticipating their biggest home gate of the season against Leeds on Saturday.

With ticket sales already close to 23,000 and Leeds having sold their 3,000 allocation, it is certain the previous highest attendance of 24,873 against Crewe in December will be eclipsed.

The enthusiasm is testimony to the potential of the club because, although Kelly and his assistant Mike Stowell have lifted spirits dramatically by taking 10 points from the last 12 available, Leicester are still not completely clear of trouble and have no chance of anything more than a mediocre League placing for the season.

City's fans have been asked by the new manager to get behind the team and help to make sure it doesn't slip again from its position seven points and goal difference above the relegation places.

But even Kelly could scarcely have anticipated quite the response he was treated to against Derby when fans really did excel themselves with their commitment, even when City went a goal down.

Kelly told the official website: 'The supporters were magnificent. The noise in the stadium was fantastic and all the players could wish for (Saturday) would be more of the same.'

Something similar by way of entertainment would assist because the Derby match was once of the most thrilling of the season at the Walkers with four goals and endless incident.

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