WATFORD LEICESTER CITY NEIL MOXLEY

BRENDAN RODGERS says Leicester have landed a “golden ticket” in Kiernan Dewsbury-hall.

The Foxes boss makes no secret of the need to wheel and deal this summer as he looks to refresh his squad.

But academy product Dewsbury-hall has sprung to the fore with 41 appearances in midfield during his break-out season.

Rodgers said: “Dewsbury-hall is a stand-out name, isn’t it? Either way, he’s been a stand-out performer.

“To be honest, it couldn’t have gone much better for him.

“He’s had to be patient at Leicester. And he has been. He’s had to wait for that breakthrough.

“Now he’s come into the team and hardly been out of it since.

“There’s no doubt he will save the club an awful lot of money. To have a player of that quality, that balance on the left side, who has his attitude and hunger.

“It’s a golden ticket for the club. He will go away after this season and he will come back hungrier.

“And the good thing is he is only 23 – he’s still maturing.

“He’s part of a group that are not at their peak yet. I love to see him. He has a great nature. And with more experiences like the ones he’s had this season, he’s only going to get better.

“We are going to keep developing him.”

Dewsbury-hall made a name for himself on loan at Luton, prior to making his breakthrough at the King Power.

But he has struggled for goals and Rodgers admits it is an area for improvement.

He added: “Sometimes when you want to come into the team you are over-eager, you want to show what you can do with the ball.

“His runs will become better-timed. He will arrive into the box and score more. That comes with maturity.

“He’s learning tactically. I can see that.

“I have no doubts about him. He’s got ability and he’s young, hungry and willing to learn. And when you’ve got players like that, you have a chance.”