Mandaric mounts Holloway defence

The Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric has come to the defence of Ian Holloway after his Plymouth counterpart Paul Stapleton blamed the former Argyle manager for the recent exodus of players from Home Park.

In a six-part statement issued via Plymouth's website, Stapleton criticised Holloway's influence in the deals that saw Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, David Norris, Dan Gosling, Barry Hayles, who has been reunited with Holloway at Leicester, and Akos Buzsaky all leave the Devon club last month.

Mandaric has responded by releasing a statement which read: "I am saddened and disappointed by Paul Stapleton's comments and the timing of them just three days before our crucial game against Plymouth at the Walkers Stadium.

"One thing their chairman fails to mention is the number of quality players Ian Holloway brought to Home Park and the team he built under difficult circumstances and financial constraints.

"Surely Ian Holloway deserves some recognition and praise for his efforts. But Plymouth's loss is Leicester City's gain. I am delighted that Ian Holloway is with us and the important thing is that we put these mind games to one side and concentrate on picking up three points on Saturday with the help of our players and supporters."