They will heal in own time

MARK HUGHES has recalled his harrowing experience of the aftermath of Matthew Harding’s death to tell Leicester’s grieving stars: “In time you will heal.”

Hughes, above, played in Chelsea’s first game just days after vice-chairman Harding perished in a helicopter crash in October 1996, a 3-1 London derby win over Tottenham at an emotional Stamford Bridge.

And yesterday the Southampton manager said: “Matthew was a big part of what Chelsea were trying to do when I was there.

“We lost him in similar circumstances to what has happened at Leicester and it does affect the club.

“You have to get on with your football and deal with tragedy and change. Everybody will at some point heal in their own time.

“He was a big presence and it was a really sad time, a difficult time for everybody connected with the club. The club came together, both as a club and a team.

“Everybody understands at some point you have to move on. We as players wanted to do well for the memory of Matthew Harding and that’s how we approached it.

“The Leicester players will want to make sure they play well and give the appropriate response.”

Like Leicester owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, Harding was tragically killed

MANCHESTER CITY SOUTHAMPTON

when his helicopter came down after watching his beloved Blues play at Bolton.

The Foxes called off Tuesday’s Carabao Cup tie with Hughes’ Saints as a mark of respect, but the Welshman says the best way to pay tribute to Srivaddhanaprabha is by winning at Cardiff today.

“Everybody had their views; we were going to try and perform well and play well to make sure the memory of Matthew Harding was remembered in the right way,” he added. “It was difficult. There were things before the game that the team had to go through, laying wreaths on the pitch and in the penalty areas.

“That before a game can affect you, but, in the end, you want to play well for the guy himself and hopefully get the right result.”

Hughes’ own team take on old club Manchester City at the Etihad tomorrow and he believes the gap between the Premier League’s big six clubs and the rest is getting bigger.

“Since Leicester won the league the big six have got their act together and invested hugely,” he said.

“It is very difficult to get as close as in the past.”