Town boss Joe Royle revealed that striker Shefki Kuqi will be out of action for up to a month after picking up a deep wound in his thigh, received in a clash with Dion Dublin just before the break. Earlier, Kuqi had put the Blues on the way to victory with his 15th goal of the season.

Royle said: "Shefki has a deep stud wound in his thigh. He will be under anaesthetic to have the muscle area cleaned out. It is not a big wound, but it is deep. He will be out for three or more likely four weeks.

"We missed his physical presence in the second half and he has done tremendously well for us this season."

The Town manager says he may consider bringing in a replacement from outside the club, there being no obvious like-for-like player in his squad. "I might have to look around," he conceded.

Royle was pleased to get the three points in a game ruined as a spectacle by the weather: "The wind was a lot worse than it looked. It was a scrappy game and I was delighted to get through with three points.

"I am pleased the Leicester side still have Wigan and Sunderland to play because they are a dangerous outfit.

"Kelvin Davis made two terrific saves for us, his first half block from David Connolly was outstanding.

"I was worried after we scored early and then stopped for 20 minutes. We staggered off at half time two-up without playing well. The atrocious wind conditions were an enemy of passing football.

"We played a little better and defended more confidently in the second half. Then they scored with a fantastic freekick, but I never felt we were going to concede a second.

"Results are more important to us at this stage of the season, but I would have liked us to have played better.

"We are in a fantastic position but it makes people nervous because we know we must pick up home points to keep going. The team has great resolve and a great work ethic and if we have to win ugly on occasions I'll settle for that."

Leicester boss Craig Levein saw his side's run of seven matches unbeaten away come to an end but was pleased his team carved out several good opportunities: "I was happy that we created so many great chances away to the league leaders. The goal we did score was a wonderful effort by Jordan Stewart, but it was the hardest chance of the lot.

"Pretty good goalkeeping by Kelvin Davis and bad luck kept us out, otherwise we would have scored two or three.

"It was disappointing to concede two goals from set-pieces. We have conceded too many goals from corners in recent weeks and I'll have to take a look at that.

"In open play we put them under pressure and I was satisfied with our overall performance. I am trying to build a team but that takes a bit of time.

"We are a different proposition to what we were seven or eight weeks ago and we are beginning to believe in ourselves. It's no coincidence that we are playing better."

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