Nigel Pearson hails David Nugent

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson has heaped praise on striker David Nugent after his winning goal against Watford on Friday night.

The 28-year-old headed the only goal of the game in the second half to give the Foxes a 1-0 lead heading into the return leg of their Championship playoff semi-final.

Nugent, who had gone 16 games without scoring, was the subject of positive words from his boss.

"For any striker to go any length of time without scoring effects them to a certain extent, but with David Nugent in particular - when you look at what he gives the team in terms of his work rate and his enthusiasm - he's always going to be giving something positive to the team," Pearson told Sky Sports News.

"It was only a matter of time before he scored again and it was an important goal for us."

The two sides meet for the second leg at Vicarage Road on Sunday.