Mattock set for Walkers return

Former Leicester City left back Joe Mattock returns to the Walkers Stadium on Saturday for the first time since joining West Bromich Albion.

Mattock, who began his career with the Foxes, joined the Baggies in August for a fee in the region of £1.5million after handing in a transfer request whilst on international duty.

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson was furious with the timing of Mattock’s transfer request, as the Foxes were preparing for the Championship season ahead with a game against Real Valladolid. Pearson speaking at the time said: ‘I like to deal with people straight up. I don’t like it when the player rings the chairman when we are playing a pre-season game to ask to leave when he is out of the country on international duty’.

Following 73 appearances for the club after his first team break at the age of 17, most Leicester fans were disappointed with the manner of Mattock’s exit, a saddening end to a City career beginning in the club’s successful youth academy.

Mattock has been an ever-present for Roberto Di Matteo’s side this season since his switch to the Hawthorns, and is now set to line up against his former club at the weekend. He has started every one of West Brom’s 14 league matches in the Championship thus far as the Baggies have risen propelled themselves towards the automatic promotion places.

The 19-year-old is sure to receive a hostile reception a the Walkers on Saturday after his sour departure from the club, as Nigel Pearson’s side go out in search of a fourth straight victory in the league.