City must forget FA Cup exit, says Craig Shakespeare

Leicester City cannot afford to dwell on their FA Cup exit, assistant manager Craig Shakespeare has said.

City were cruelly dumped out of the cup by two goals in added time at Cardiff City on Saturday and, with their defeat, went the chance to play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the next round.

But they have not got long to mull over the disappointment and are thrust back into Championship action tonight when they face Barnsley at Oakwell.

Shakespeare believes that could be a blessing.

"We are bitterly disappointed to be out of the cup and it would be human nature to look at the draw and wonder what might have been, but we can't afford to do that," Shakespeare said. "It is gone now.

"It was a strange game at Cardiff and control seemed to change hands so many times, but we didn't see that finish coming. We have to put that behind us now.

"We have to emphasis the positives that not too many teams will go to Cardiff and score two goals, but now we have to concentrate on the league. We have to look at ways we can improve.

"Footballers are a resilient lot and once they are back on the training pitch they will be focused on the next game."

Shakespeare is expecting another stern test at Oakwell against a Barnsley side that has been rejuvenated under manager Mark Robins, although they have lost their last three fixtures.

"Barnsley are a hard-working and resilient side, and Mark has done an excellent job to turn around their fortunes," said Shakespeare.

"They are a big, strong side, especially at the back, where they have Darren Moore and Stephen Foster, so it will be another stern test.

"But it will be all about what we do on the day, not what they do. As long as the work ethic is there and we put in a performance we will be okay. We are heading into February now and the games will be coming thick and fast, and we know this could be an important month with so many points at stake.

"We can't afford to dwell on negatives like the cup defeat. We have to forge on now."

City will again be without left- back Bruno Berner because of a calf injury, and new signing Nolberto Solano is not eligible until the weekend. Paul Gallagher picked up a knock at Cardiff but should be fit to face Barnsley