Sousa hints at DJ stay

Leicester City manager Paulo Sousa has insisted that striker DJ Campbell is a part of his first team plans next season.

Campbell’s future has been under scrutiny for the best part of two seasons, with the 28-year-old having looked odds-on to join newly-promoted Blackpool this summer following their rise to the Premier League.

The Seasiders baulked at City’s asking price for the player however, and Campbell has since remained a Leicester player despite rumoured interest from elsewhere.

And Sousa has stressed that Campbell is very much in his line of thoughts for next season, potentially quashing speculation of an exit from the Walkers this summer.

‘It was a great moment for DJ. He is full of confidence in himself and he is one of the players in better shape and someone who is going to help us a lot this season.

‘I see all the time DJ with a lot of happiness in training sessions, his enthusiasm, and these are the sort of players I want to work with.

‘He is someone very committed to me, to the club and to the fans and he is someone who wants to do great things for the club this season.’

Campbell scored his fourth pre-season goal in succession with a superb free-kick in yesterday’s 1-1 draw at Oxford, and impressed the following faithful once again.

Despite everything that has occured for the striker in his time at the Walkers, lining up in Paulo Sousa’s first team against Crystal Palace in less than two weeks time is looking evermore likely.