Leicester City overhaul was needed - Nigel Pearson

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson says he has had no choice but to make wholesale changes to the squad during his first 12 months in charge.

Pearson's second reign as Foxes boss moved into its second year on 15 November and he is happy with what he has achieved in that time.

"The squad has really changed from a year ago," he told BBC Radio Leicester.

"Did I envisage doing the amount of work on the squad? No, if I am honest, but it needed to be done."

The Foxes initially struggled away from home this season, but some fantastic home form saw them move to the top of the table at the end of October.

Two defeats and a draw from their last three fixtures have meant they have dropped to fifth place in the table but Pearson remains positive.

"Last season was complicated and we have certainly moved the club forward in lots of different areas," he said.

"We are doing OK this season. We aspire to get back into the top two and that is an ongoing process, but it will be more important to talk about whether we have achieved the goals at the end of the season."

Pearson's first game in charge last year saw a thumping 3-0 win over Crystal Palace.

But of the 16-man squad who played in that game, only Kasper Schmeichel, Sean St Ledger, Paul Konchesky, Andy King, Lloyd Dyer and David Nugent are first-team regulars. Of those six players, both King and Dyer worked with Pearson in his first spell in charge.

Matt Mills, Lee Pelter, Yuke Abe, Steve Howard and Chris Weale have all left the club while Richie Wellens and Paul Gallagher have fallen out of favour and have been out on loan. Jermaine Beckford and Neil Danns are currently on loan.

"Certainly we have worked very hard to get the squad into the shape it's in, and hopefully that will develop," Pearson added. "I have enjoyed my first year back."