Boss Mick McCarthy has challenged striker Paul Taylor to “be better than the others” and win himself a place in his side during David McGoldrick’s absence through injury.
Taylor, 26, has made only six starts and 11 sub appearances, scoring once, since joining from Peterborough for £1.5 million in the summer of 2012, a foot injury having sidelined him for almost a year.
McCarthy says he and assistant Terry Connor have spent plenty of time working with the Liverpudlian since he returned to fitness: "We’ve done a lot of work with him.
"He came back in pre-season against Colchester, that was really his first time back and that was eight months into my tenure as manager. So, for the first eight months I didn’t see him at all, he was having rehab.
"Since then we’ve had another seven months. I think the injury took a lot out of him, he’s taken a long time to get back. He’s fully fit now but I just think the others were better than him. That’s why he hasn’t played. It’s up to him to be better than the others who are here now.”
He believes Taylor has ability but says he’s got to show him he’s worthy of being picked ahead of his other options with Frank Nouble appearing likely to partner Daryl Murphy at Leicester on Saturday.
"He’s got talent, there’s no doubt about that,” McCarthy said. "He’s got to be better than the others, that’s my view.
"I tell the players, it’s a bit of a secret, but I don’t pick the worst ones, in my mind. Others might have a different view on that, but I don’t pick the worst ones. I try and pick who I think are the better ones.”
Taylor seems likely to get a chance to shine at Leicester, even if it is only from the bench: "He’s in the squad, I’ve got 18 outfield players, so he’s very much got a chance to be involved.”