Leicester v Watford preview

Leicester v Watford preview

Published May. 8, 2013 3:15 p.m. ET

Ritchie De Laet and Paul Konchesky are both expected to be fit for Leicester's Championship play-off semi-final first leg against Watford at the King Power Stadium.

Right-back De Laet limped out of Saturday's thrilling 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest after a kick on the calf, while left-back Konchesky underwent a minor hernia operation last week and missed the trip to the City Ground.

However, both players were due to resume training on Tuesday ahead of being in the squad on Thursday night.

Foxes boss Nigel Pearson also confirmed that agreements are in place to allow loan players Michael Keane and Harry Kane to play in the play-offs. Centre-half Keane has been borrowed from Manchester United and Kane from Tottenham.

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Sean St. Ledger will also boost Pearson's options in central defence following his return from a month-long loan spell at Millwall.

However, midfielder Neil Danns and striker Jermaine Beckford, who have been on loan at Huddersfield, will not be involved.

Watford goalkeepers Manuel Almunia and Jonathan Bond will face late fitness checks.

Almunia pulled out of the final-day defeat by Leeds after feeling his hamstring in the warm-up and his deputy Bond suffered a broken nose during the first half.

That left 19-year-old Jack Bonham to make his professional debut as a substitute, but boss Gianfranco Zola is hopeful at least one of his senior keepers will be fit.

Bond this week travelled to Italy to have a protective face mask fitted and Zola will make a decision on him and Almunia on Thursday morning.

Striker Troy Deeney is suspended following his red card against Leeds so Matej Vydra will probably be recalled in attack.

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