Exclusive: Sky pundit backs Marti Cifuentes for Leicester City promotion on one condition - it involves off-field situations that "need to be sorted out" | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie has told FLW his verdict on whether Martí Cifuentes can lead Leicester City to promotion this season

Lee Hendrie has backed Martí Cifuentes to lead Leicester City to promotion this season despite the looming threat of a points deduction.

It has been reported by the Guardian that the Foxes are facing the threat of a likely penalty from the Premier League, which can be handed to them despite no longer being in the top flight.

An alleged breach of the division’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR) has put the club under the microscope against a backdrop where the Spanish coach is looking to earn a top two finish in the Championship after being appointed in the summer.

Cifuentes has made a positive start to life at the King Power Stadium, but it is still early days in the campaign at this stage.

Lee Hendrie backs Leicester City promotion bid

Hendrie has praised Cifuentes for how he has managed all of the problems at Leicester so far, claiming the club should be delighted with how the season has started.

He believes that the team is still good enough that they have a good chance at promotion despite the threat of a deduction.

“There’s all sorts surrounding Leicester at the moment, with potential points deductions and all the rest that comes with these situations,” Hendrie exclusively told Football League World.

“He’s got off to a really good start there because you walk into a football club with expectation levels coming out of the Premier League, players that have gone and then really and truly he’s trying to get that balance right.

“I’ve always liked him, and there was always talk of him eventually leaving QPR, which obviously resulted in him going to Leicester.

“For promotion, yes, I think he’s got every single chance.

“Look at the league this season, you’d be over the moon with the start he’s gone and had.

“But, I do feel that there’s some situations at the football club that probably need to be sorted out sooner rather than later.

“But they’ve got a strong squad of players, they’ve got a very, very good manager that can certainly take them to that place again.

“I’d favour the odds in him getting them promotion, whether that’s play-offs or automatic.”

Leicester have won three of their opening four league fixtures so far this season, leaving them fourth ahead of the Championship’s return to action this weekend.

The Foxes did suffer defeat to Preston North End in their second game, but have otherwise beaten Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton Athletic and Birmingham City.

Next up for Cifuentes’ side is a clash away to Oxford United on Saturday in a 12.30pm kick-off.

Leicester City can overcome a points deduction

The top two finished 10 points clear of third last season, and the gap was 11 points in 2023, so there could be enough room for the Foxes if they can sustain a strong run of form for most of the campaign.

Enzo Maresa led Leicester to a 97-point year when the team were last promoted in 2024, which is what might be needed to overcome a points deficit if it comes.

The sooner that the club finds out their prospective punishment the better, as it will help them to focus on the task at hand.