Martyn Waghorn vows to fight for his place at Leicester

Waghorn played 23 games as a substitute for Leicester last season

Leicester City striker Martyn Waghorn has insisted he want to stay and fight for his place at the club.

Waghorn joined permanently in August 2010 but has not been a regular during Sven-Goran Eriksson's reign as manager.

The 21-year-old made just 11 starts last season and Eriksson is eager to bring in another striker.

Waghorn told BBC Radio Leicester: "I just want to play football. It's a big squad and there is competition but I want to play for this club."

He added: "If he (Eriksson) brings someone in then I have to take it on the chin. I am young, I have fire in my belly and will give it everything I have got."

Waghorn, a product of the Sunderland youth system, first made an impact for the Foxes during the 2009-10 season when he scored 12 goals in 28 starts while on loan.

But Waghorn has seen his opportunities limited under Eriksson.

Waghorn added: "It's hard when I get my 20 or 30 minutes. I need to be playing from the beginning - 30 or 45 minutes is not ideal. It's hard to get adjusted to the pace of the game."

He was linked with a loan move to Derby County during the January transfer window this year but Eriksson decided to keep the striker as cover for injuries.

There was further interest from the Rams at the start of the summer but Waghorn added: "I want to play here and if it doesn't work out then I have no grudges.

"I have rolled my sleeves up for the last 10 months and am willing to fight for my place."