'Richie Wellens will have to fight for City place'

Doncaster Rovers old boy Richie Wellens may have to be content with a place on the bench for Leicester City when the two sides clash in the Championship at the Walkers Stadium tonight (7.45pm).

The City midfielder missed Saturday's 2-1 win at Blackpool as he served a one-match ban for his sending-off in the goalless draw against Newcastle on January 30.

Wellens was a £1m capture from the Keepmoat Stadium in the summer, and has been a virtual ever-present in the City side. But defender Jack Hobbs, pictured, admits no-one is guaranteed a place in the starting line-up and said Wellens might find it hard to regain his spot.

Wellens' replacement, Dany N'Guessan, scored City's opener and was a constant threat against the Seasiders.

"That's always the risk when you miss out for one reason or another," said 21-year-old Hobbs. "Dany has come in and done well. We have a lot of quality footballers and our middle three are good on the ball and excellent at give-and-go. The 4-3-3 suits us and it's working well."

If Wellens does get the nod, the 29-year-old midfielder should receive a warm reception from the travelling Doncaster faithful. He played a pivotal role in leading Rovers into the Championship in 2008.

City striker Martyn Waghorn limped off at Blackpool but is expected to be fit while Paul Gallagher needed stitches in a head wound but should also be okay.

Nolberto Solano could also come back into contention after missing the Blackpool trip because of family commitments.

Hobbs is expecting a strong challenge from Sean O'Driscoll's side.

"We haven't played them yet because the match at Doncaster was called off around Christmas, but from what I've seen they are a good footballing side," he said.

"We want to put on a good show for the fans because they really got behind us at Blackpool."

Hobbs described the win over Ian Holloway's side as "a big three points". He said the team were determined to build on their goalless encounter with leaders Newcastle.

"We had to be on our game more physically than in the Newcastle match because that was more down to positional play after we lost Richie," said Hobbs.

"Blackpool were a threat in the air and if we didn't win the first ball we would try to win the second and, if not, make sure we got the blocks in. I thought they applied good pressure but we stood up to them.''

Doncaster are likely to be unchanged, despite their 2-1 home defeat to Reading on Saturday. Their line-up includes former City defender James Chambers.

Charlton's Lloyd Sam is being linked with a possible move to City in the summer. The Addicks winger is still to sign a new contract at the Valley and could become a free agent at the end of the season. City, QPR and Sheffield United are said to be watching developments.