We don't fear the Foxes

Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United boss Paul Lambert admits that Leicester City are in a league of their own this season, but he believes that his side can pull off a shock at the Walkers Stadium tomorrow.

The Foxes are nine points clear at the top of League One, and 14 points ahead of third-placed Mk Dons, so they are on the brink of a quickfire return to the Championship.

Nigel Pearson's men have only lost one game at home all season, but this impressive record does not faze Lambert.

The Scotsman insisted: “Leicester City are head-and-shoulders above the rest of us in this division, but we will be going up there with no fear or trepidation.

“Leicester are the best team and they have virtually won the league. Yet what a game this would be for us to bounce back, after the defeat by Crewe.

“We have played well against the teams above us this season, and this will be a good gauge as to how far we have come, like the Leeds game (2-1 win at Elland Road).

“There should be more freedom for us to play. Leicester should be more open than Crewe were against us, and the Walkers Stadium is a fantastic arena in which to play football.

“Teams above us have still got to play each other, so a lot of things can still happen. I haven't told all my players what will be happening for next season, until I know where we will be playing.

“We could be giving it a right good go, to get out of League One next season, or we could be a squad trying to sustain ourselves in the Championship,” added Lambert.

The U's will be without new signing Ashley Vincent, due to a knee injury, for tomorrow's stern test at Leicester.

Striker Steven Gillespie is unlikely to figure due to a swollen ankle, sustained in training before the 1-0 defeat by Crewe last weekend, and winger Simon Hackney could also miss out after limping off with a groin problem last Saturday.