Pearson tells Foxes table is not important just yet

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson (Picture: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire).

The Foxes are a point above the Premier League bottom three ahead of tonight’s visit of leaders Chelsea. They have won their last four games, including Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Burnley, to lift them out of the drop zone for the first time since November.

But Pearson insisted the Foxes cannot take their position for granted and said they need to be out of the bottom three in May.

He said: “It’s to be out of them after the last game of the season which is going to be the most important thing. For me it makes no difference whatsoever (being out now).

“What they (the players) have to remain is focused and that’s something we have to continue to work hard at.

“I’m not trying to play it down because at this stage and with the situation we are in it’s very positive to talk about four wins on the trot.

“But we talked about if we can get to the last four or fives games in contention – and we are.

“If we can go to the last game with our fate in our own hands that will be something which maybe a couple of months ago you hoped for, but it was not as realistic as it is now.”

Pearson could be without David Nugent (calf) and Jamie Vardy (foot) while Jeff Schlupp is also struggling with a calf problem.

The Foxes have earned praise for their performances this season, despite struggling before their current run, but Pearson is only focused on results.

He added: “The results, ultimately, are going to be more important than the performances and it’s been very satisfying for us to get these results. It does make our chances more realistic now.”

Chelsea, who are 10 points clear of Manchester City and Arsenal, will be able to claim the title on Sunday with victory at home to Crystal Palace provided they win tonight.

Mourinho is expecting his side to be tested, and commented: “For me it’s a good team, good players. I played them very early in the season at Stamford Bridge (winning 2-0 in August). I could immediately feel the quality of the team.

“I was surprised that they were in a bad position. I’m not surprised they are out of the relegation zone. I will be not surprised when they stay in the division.”