Pearson wary of threat posed by the Tigers

The Foxes manager quit his post at the KC Stadium in November to return to the East Midlands in the wake of Sven Goran Eriksson’s departure.

He has not, however, been able to kick-start a promotion bid with Leicester remaining well off the pace in 12th place, eight points adrift of Middlesbrough in the final play-off berth.

It means Pearson’s side need a stunning end to the campaign to even threaten the top six, starting with victory today against the Tigers.

The former City manager said: “Hull do actually play quite expansive football at times. Defensively, they are also disciplined and they get a lot of bodies behind the ball and play some pretty effective counter-attacking football.

“It will be a tough game for us. They have some very good players but I am focused on ourselves and making sure we get our own game right, first and foremost.”

Leicester’s inability to mount a concerted challenge for the play-offs can be put down to a defence that has let in 47 goals in 37 games – a record that contrasts sharply with the 30 goals Hull have let in from the same number of matches.

Pearson added: “We are having a difficult time in terms of restricting goalscoring opportunities for the opposition but the only way to rectify that is accept the responsibility we have individually but, more importantly, collectively.

“There were a lot of positives from Blackpool (where Leicester drew 3-3 on Wednesday). There won’t be many teams who will go there and outplay them, which is what we did very well.

“Unfortunately, we conceded poor goals which have allowed them to take a point. We have to look forward. You have to be honest enough to look at the mistakes you make but dwelling on it too much is counter-productive.”

On the promotion race, Pearson added: “We are not out of yet. We keep slipping up but so do a lot of other sides.”