Leicester City first team coach Ben Dawson faced the media press pack on Friday ahead of their Premier League clash with Brentford, with the club set to announce Ruud Van Nistelrooy as their new manager.
City’s search for a new boss following Steve Cooper’s sacking on Sunday looks set to conclude with the former Manchester United striker poised to take charge.
The club has already confirmed Van Nistelrooy will not be in charge of the dugout for Brentford v Leicester on Saturday afternoon, however, he is expected to attend to watch his new squad.
Dawson, who has been leading training since Cooper’s departure, took questions as his players prepared to end a four-game winless run against Brentford.
Here are the latest updates from inside Leicester City.
Ben Dawson’s message to Ruud Van Nistelrooy
Inevitably, it didn’t take long for Ben Dawson to be quizzed on the imminent arrival of a new Leicester City boss.
Dawson kept his cards close to his chest when asked if he could provide a Ruud Van Nistelrooy update, he said: “I was hoping you might be able to shed some light on it! We’re just focusing on the game.”
He did however, hint at what the first task should be for the new manager, insisting the main focus right now should be stability.
He added: “I think in these situations, it’s about stability. Everybody wants certainty. As soon as a decision is made, everybody can get behind that person and move forward.”
Ben Dawson insists Leicester City can avoid Premier League relegation
It’s now four games without a win for City who sit just one point above the drop zone with relegation rivals breathing down their necks, most notably Wolves, who have just recorded back-to-back wins.
Premier League survival will be the main target for whoever takes over as boss, and Dawson insists the squad is good enough to do it, despite the need for a “little bit of luck”.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 14 |  West HamWest Ham | 12 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 15 | 19 | -4 | 15 |
| 15 |  EvertonEverton | 12 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 17 | -7 | 11 |
| 16 |  LeicesterLeicester | 12 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 15 | 23 | -8 | 10 |
| 17 |  WolvesWolves | 12 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 20 | 28 | -8 | 9 |
When asked if this group of players can stay up, he said: “Absolutely. I see them work every day. They’re good footballers. Yes, at times you need a little bit of luck. From what I see in terms of endeavour, it’s there.”
Brentford V Leicester City injury news and gameplan
Dawson revealed Harry Winks is the only injury concern for Brentford with the midfielder still recovering from a groin injury.
Winks had started all but one Premier League game this season prior to the Chelsea defeat last weekend, so his fitness will be a priority.
Dawson said: “He’s recovering well. Tomorrow will be too early but hopefully, he’ll join the group again soon.”
Speaking on Brentford, he said: “They’ve got a really good home record this year. It’s a really good environment for a Premier League game. We’ve prepared well and we hope we can show that.”
Dawson has highlighted areas to improve this week but will not make too many changes this weekend.
“We take a bit of everything,” he said. “I think there were good elements in how Steve was getting the team to play. But there are areas to improve.
“Training has been good as any week since I’ve been at the football club.”
Leicester City chairman’s expectations v Brentford
Leicester City chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha has been in contact with the squad following Cooper’s departure on Sunday evening.
Amid the ongoing manager search, the chairman has asked the squad to “give a positive account of ourselves and the football club”.
But Dawson is just focusing on Brentford; he said: “It’s part and parcel of the industry. We just have to make sure the players are in the best position possible and give a performance that the fans would expect.”
Leicester City are expected to announce Ruud Van Nistelrooy as Steve Cooper’s replacement in the coming days.