West Ham aid Connolly's switch to Leicester

Alan Pardew, the West Ham United manager, has left striker David Connolly out of the club's trip to Sweden to let him fix up a move to Leicester City.

Connolly has been told he can leave as the Hammers have so many forwards and he is on the biggest wage of their attackers. Relegated Leicester have agreed a £500,000 deal for the Republic of Ireland international, beating Sunderland to his signature. He will undergo a medical before discussing personal terms this week.

Connolly has the choice of the two clubs but is swaying towards Leicester because they may have a better chance of reaching the Premiership.

The Leicester manager, Mickey Adams, sees Connolly as an ideal replacement for Paul Dickov, who has signed for Blackburn Rovers.

Connolly hit 14 goals last season despite having to compete with a host of different strike partners at Upton Park.

Meanwhile, the Foxes' pre-season tour got off to a winning start as City ran out 3-2 winners over FC Lavadia, of Estonia, on Sunday afternoon, with Dion Dublin scoring twice.