Nigel Pearson drops a hint as Leicester City squad numbers are announced

The announcement of Leicester City's squad numbers offers a bit of intrigue as supporters look for pointers to manager Nigel Pearson's favoured starting 11 against Swansea on August 8.

Keeper Chris Weale predictably wears the No. 1 shirt, with former Hearts skipper Robbie Neilson handed the No. 2 shirt, which strongly suggests he will be the club's first-choice right-back.

Fellow new signings Dany N'Guessan and Richie Wellens, close-season captures from Lincoln and Doncaster, will wear No. 17 and No. 19 respectively.

There is also a squad number – 14 – for club skipper Stephen Clemence, who is slowly on the mend after a heel injury which has severely disrupted his City career.

Among the players without a squad number are midfielders Astrit Ajdarevic, Levi Porter and James Wesolowski and striker DJ Campbell.

Ajdarevic's omission may be seen as a surprise after the former Liverpool youth player signed a one-year deal at the Walkers Stadium following a successful loan spell last season.

Campbell is being heavily linked with a move away from the Walkers Stadium, while Porter and Wesolowski have so far failed to force their way into Pearson's plans after long-term injury lay-offs.

Pearson said: "The onus is on the players not in the list. If they progress and make it into the first team, they will get a squad number."

squad numbers: 1 Chris Weale, 2 Robbie Neilson, 3 Joe Mattock, 4 Michael Morrison, 5 Aleksandar Tunchev, 6 Wayne Brown, 7 Max Gradel, 8 Matt Oakley, 9 Steven Howard, 10 Andy King, 11 Lloyd Dyer, 12 Matty Fryatt, 13 Conrad Logan, 14 Stephen Clemence, 15 Bruno Berner, 16 Nicky Adams, 17 Dany N'Guessan, 19 Richie Wellens, 21 Ashley Chambers, 25 Jack Hobbs, 27 Paul Dickov, 29 Chris Powell.