Pressure mounts for Newell to stay

Are Leicester City's hopes of securing Mike Newell's services as manager likely to be scuppered by the amount of time they have taken to make their decision?.

There seems little doubt that Newell has met again with City officials but his Luton employers will also have been aware of the situation and it seems they might be planning a counter-attack.

Scotty, of Vitalfootball Luton Town wrote:

The Luton News have stated that Mike (Newell) was believed to have travelled to meet a second time with Leicester officials after watching the Reserves play at Southend following an initial meeting on Monday 30th January.

He (Newell) is frustrated that a longer contract has not been offered at Luton, but the Luton News also stated that 'their sources' suggest that Leicester are ready to offer him the position, but that 'something big is about to happen' that may change the course of events.

'This would seem to be that an extended contract is about to be offered to Newell,' Scotty revealed.

Newell is known to be frustrated at the lack of developments regarding a new Luton stadium but he is also said to be concerned about taking over a club just above the relegation zone, as he does not want to go back to square one in League 1 and have to spend time getting back into the Championship.

He is also said to like being at Luton and to want to take Luton into the Premiership.

Meanwhile Luton fans and players are also begging Newell not to move.

The combined pressure may yet convince Newell that the risks of moving to Leicester are less attractive than the known situation at Luton.

And that may remain the case despite Foxestalk poster Leicester Rule! posting tonight:

"Mike Newell to be announced as new Leicester City Manager on Friday, taking over at the end of the season. That is what a contact from BBC Radio Leicester said.I am 80% sure this is true!"

Eighty per cent is a long way from certainty.

It seems like an emotional tug-o-war may be developing and suddenly Friday seems a long way away and so does the end of the season.

One is also left wondering how much the Rob Kelly situation will eventually influence the outcome of events.

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