Nelson ‘Really Excited’ For Latest Cup Clash

- Leicester City welcome Birmingham City to King Power Stadium this Saturday
- Centre-back Ben Nelson previewed the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round tie
- The defender featured in the last round, a win over Millwall at The Den
- He is hoping for more opportunities to impress in the Foxes’ backline  

The Academy graduate made his senior debut in the Carabao Cup earlier this season before featuring across City’s 3-2 victory over Millwall in the third round of the FA Cup on 6 January - his first start for the Club.

Now tasked with facing another fellow Sky Bet Championship side in Birmingham City on Saturday, the defender hopes to put the disappointment of conceding late against Ipswich Town behind them with another positive display at King Power Stadium. 

“I’m really excited,” the centre-back commented earlier this week. “We’re doing so well in the league. It’s another competition to put all of our efforts into and go as far as we can.

“It was frustrating (on Monday) but it’s football, it happens. You can’t do anything about it. It’s great to have a game so soon afterwards just to reset the mindset.”

Tony Mowbray, the new man in charge at Birmingham, oversaw the Blues’ replay success over Hull City last round and despite the Foxes coming out on top 3-2 in December’s league meeting at St. Andrew’s, Nelson is expecting another stern test in front of the Blue Army.

“It’s going to be a tough game,” the 19-year-old analysed. “They’ve got a new manager so they’ll have new ideas and they are trying to implement that. It will be a good battle. You can’t beat the home fans and their support getting behind you.”

Having not featured since the cup victory at The Den at the start of the month, Nelson is eager for gain more minutes on the pitch, but has also taken a lot from his time alongside the experienced heads within the LCFC dressing room.

He also spoke about the transition from the Development Squad into senior football, with the likes of Jakub Stolarczyk, Wanya Marçal and Tawanda Maswanhise joining the youngster on that journey.

“It was brilliant to get 90 minutes for my boyhood club, so it was a great moment for me,” he reflected, looking back on his last appearance. “I’ve just got to take every opportunity I can to play and show how well I can do.

“It’s just about making the most of every opportunity I’m getting and keeping going. If you’ve got your mates around you, it gives you a bit more confidence as well and just shows how much faith the Manager has in young players here in the squad.

“I think it’s been really positive for my development. I’m training a lot and seeing what the senior players have been doing, and then coming into the team and trying to replicate that and doing even better.”