Faes: Foxes still on course for Premier League despite Leeds blow

Wout Faes is confident Leicester's promotion charge remains on track despite losing a top-of-the-table clash with Leeds last Friday.

The Foxes missed the chance to go 12 points clear in the Championship after surrendering a one-goal lead late on to go down 3-1 at Elland Road.

It was a second successive league defeat for Enzo Maresca's men, whose advantage over the Whites at the top has now been reduced to just six points.

Their stumble has opened up a four-team automatic promotion race ahead of the final 12-game run-in, which starts for the Foxes with a home clash against QPR on Saturday.

But Faes, who has started in 31 of 34 league games during an otherwise superb campaign for the East Midlands outfit, shrugged off any notions of a late collapse.

He told LiveScore: "The loss to Leeds was tough. Especially because of the way we performed, I think we were in the game, we were controlling the game.

"We had a lot of chances before the collapse at the end.

"I think we have to keep doing the same because we are creating the chances and are in the right places — just hopefully we can be a bit more clinical and finish it.

"We just need to keep doing the same things we've been doing all season. Over the whole season, it's shown that it can give us results.

"I hope we continue this way and finish the job."

Cup response

The Foxes made the perfect response to that defeat in Yorkshire after setting up an FA Cup quarter-final tie against Chelsea by knocking out Premier League Bournemouth on Tuesday.

Faes was not involved as a number of second-string stars came to the fore, with loanee Abdul Fatawu, 19, securing the victory via a 105th-minute stunner in extra time.

The defender, 25, added: "It's very nice because if you looked at the Bournemouth team, they played with a lot of guys who've been playing a lot in the Premier League.

"So it was a good barometer I would say for us to play against such a good team and it shows just how much quality we've got in our squad.

"And to get Chelsea at Stamford Bridge is amazing. You always love games like that.

"Hopefully we can get a result because you come closer and who knows where it could end up."

New experience

After joining Leicester from Reims in the summer of 2022 while they were still in the top flight, Faes is experiencing England's second tier for the first time.

He has handled the adjustment with ease — impressing as one of the Championship's best centre-backs this term.

The former Anderlecht youth product said: "Before this season, I didn't watch too much of the Championship to be honest.

"And then once you're in it, you watch the games, you play the games and I'm very surprised because it's an amazing league.

"In terms of intensity in terms of how the people live it. Every game you go to, the stadium is full, it's always a great atmosphere.

"There are some amazing teams in it. I'm enjoying it and I hope we can finish the season as champions."