Leicester City v Hull City: Pearson can enjoy a happy return at Sven's expense

RICHARD GARCIA admits Hull City are stepping into the unknown today, despite their manager knowing more about the opposition players than his counterpart in the home dugout.

The Tigers travel to Leicester City for a Championship encounter that would, under normal circumstances, be most noteworthy for the return of Nigel Pearson to the club he left in the summer.

However, the arrival of former England coach Sven Goran Eriksson a little under a fortnight ago at the Walkers Stadium has changed all that with all the attention instead set to be on the Swede.

Garcia, who has been with

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Australia during the international break, said: "Of course, the Leicester players will want to impress the new manager but it is hard to know which way it will go.

"Their new manager has been looking for a way back into the game and he will have big plans for Leicester.

"I am sure our manager will be happy to go back but at the same time he'll want to win the game."

Eriksson's bow as Leicester manager will be the understandable focus but for Hull, the game is a chance to improve what has been a disappointing goal-scoring return this season.

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In the 10 games before the international break, the Tigers netted just seven times – the second lowest in the Championship behind Sheffield United's paltry return of five.

Garcia, though, insists Hull are very close to getting it right in front of goal – starting today against a Leicester outfit who have already conceded 23 times in the league. He said: "There are goals in this team but it is a matter of getting on the scoresheet and getting that confidence.

"It takes a couple of goals to get yourself on a run. It's the anticipation of getting that first goal that's maybe the problem.

"We have got Jay (Simpson) and Rowan (Vine) in and there's also the likes of Craig (Fagan) and Mark Cullen so we have got players who are capable."

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Hull make the trip to the East Midlands sitting 16th in the table with 12 points from the opening 10 games. It is a perfectly respectable record, especially considering the financial turmoil – and resulting uncertainty – that was caused by relegation from the Premier League at the end of last season.

Garcia, though, believes it also represents a possible foundation for a promotion push and points to the 2007-08 season – when Hull had an identical points tally after 10 games – as proof.

The Australian added: "We had a little bit more experience in the last side but we are getting better all the time and we are getting towards how we want to play."