Owen Garvan no doubt impressed watching Republic of Ireland consultant Sir Bobby Robson by putting Ipswich in front in the 49th minute, applying the finishing touch after Jason De Vos flicked on a corner.

"I thought we were terrific in very hard conditions," said Royle. "It took until half time for us to get used to what Ricardo Fuller can do.

"As he got used to us, we improved and by the end we were playing some super stuff.

"Ricardo hadn't played in weeks. He only arrived with us on Thursday and we have had no time to work with him.

"I was pleased with him and there will be a lot more to come when he regains better match fitness. He took his goal superbly. It's what goal scoring is all about, timing, arriving and putting the ball away.

"The only snag is that Ricardo received a booking which I think was his fifth of the season so he will be suspended next week."

Royle said of Garvan's goal: "The ball flew at him but he made a hard chance look simple.

"It's difficult to believe he is only just 18 because his maturity is exceptional."

Leicester should have gone ahead in the sixth minute after Iain Hume was put through by Danny Tiatto but he fired wide of the far post.

Matt Fryatt and Nils-Eric Johansson both went close while substitute Elvis Hammond had a fierce drive blocked by De Vos in injury time.

Leicester's acting manager Rob Kelly said: "The biggest positive was the spirit of my players. No-one downed tools. They kept going.

"We limited Ipswich and apart from the two set pieces they did not look like opening us up. I am disappointed we did not come away with something.

"We had the best chances in the first half but it was very difficult because of the pitch and the wind.

"Ipswich is a testing place to come. They are a good side but I thought we matched them and had we scored first it would have been different.

"The important thing is that Leicester City are still in this division next season and we know we have to scrap to do that."

Sporting Life