Premier League: Leicester manager Nigel Pearson has high hopes for Tom Lawrence
Wednesday 31 December 2014 00:13, UK
Leicester boss Nigel Pearson hopes youngster Tom Lawrence follows in the footsteps of Riyad Mahrez.
Lawrence, 20, recently returned from a loan spell at Rotherham and is in contention for Thursday's trip to Liverpool for the Premier League's bottom side.
The striker signed from Manchester United in the summer and Pearson hopes he can follow the example of team-mate Mahrez.
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“Now Tom has had some experience on loan it benefits him and us, and he will be under consideration for Liverpool without a doubt," Pearson said.
"That is the challenge for young players. It is not about the managers saying 'it’s an opportunity'. It’s about whether players recognise it and are able to grasp that opportunity when it comes along.
"That is one of the key elements to players fulfilling their potential. You have to have tolerance of inconsistencies in young players.
"Look at Riyad Mahrez, whose last 12 months have been an incredible shift not just in his levels but the experience he’s had.
"It is too easy to forget young players need time to adjust. I am delighted Riyad has done so well for us and whether Tom can emulate that will be interesting to see."
Pearson has a number of injury concerns after his side grabbed an important victory at Hull that kept them within three points of safety.
Andy King (thigh) and Kasper Schmeichel (foot) are both out along with the suspended Paul Konchesky and Pearson admits he may have to change his side around with the FA Cup third-round tie against Newcastle coming just two days later.
"The question is always do you go with a similar side and hope, or back your judgement, that they will be able to reproduce energy levels," he said.
"From looking at the stats from the other day (against Hull), both sides were not at the same physical level as the Boxing Day game.
"I would imagine that would be very similar throughout the divisions. Now we have to consider whether further changes for the next game are beneficial."
