Nigel Pearson wants Leicester City to meet challenge of facing leaders

Leicester City are facing one of their biggest challenges of the season, according to manager Nigel Pearson.

City bid to end their three-game losing sequence against Championship leaders Newcastle United today and Pearson said they need to get a result.

City have never lost three on the bounce under Pearson before and he admits it has been a new experience for many of his young side.

He said there was only one way to answer the questions being asked of his squad, and that was on the pitch in front of a crowd of more than 27,000 and before a live television audience.

"It is very easy to look at the negatives when you go through a difficult spell, but nothing has changed as far as I am concerned," said the City boss.

"I know I have got tremendous staff here and a group of players who are honest and will always give what they have got.

"Things are not going our way, but we are the only people who can make that change. I am not one for looking for excuses. It is about us responding and doing what we can to put that right.

"I look for the positives and I expect the players to respond today, and I am confident they can. We have a number of players who have performed very well and they are now experiencing something new. You have to work your way out of it.

"There is no magic wand. You have to accept that we are having a sticky patch but what doesn't change is the fact that the players who have got us into a decent position will be the players who continue to put performances in. I have every confidence in those players.

"It is a big game and one we need to get something out of. It would be nice to get a home win just to get things back on track.

"It is important to recognise that there are things to work on but, as always, we are not going to get too down, just the same as we don't get too carried away when things have gone well. It is a test for us but the players have responded well."

New signing Nolberto Solano has been cleared to make his debut against his former club, while Bruno Berner is close to returning after injury.

City will leave it late before deciding whether to throw Berner back in. Ryan McGivern or Chris Powell will step in if he does not pass a fitness test.

Birmingham defender Martin Taylor, who was the subject of a inquiry from Leicester City last week, has signed for Watford on a free transfer.

Striker Ricky Sappleton has joined Macclesfield Town on a permanent basis after his contract with Leicester City was cancelled by mutual consent.