Leicester defender Sam Hughes has vowed to return for pre-season in top shape as he looks to impress boss Claude Puel.

The 21-year-old joined Leicester from Chester FC for a fee in the region of £130,000 last summer with the ambition of forcing his way into the first team.

Hughes didn’t get his time at Leicester off to a positive start after suffering an injury in the first few weeks, which forced him to miss pre-season.

The central defender eventually returned to claim a spot with the under-23 side and he finished the campaign as their captain, while he was also their top scorer after netting an incredible 12 goals.

His form caught the eye of first-team boss Puel and he was named on the bench for Premier League clashes with West Ham and Tottenham, although he failed to make his senior debut.

The youngster is uncertain where he will be playing his football next season but insists he will look to have an impact in pre-season.

Hughes said: “There will be lads at the World Cup so there could be a chance to get involved with the first team in pre-season but who knows.

“There will be some talks taking place between the club, myself and my agent and it could be that things stay the same in the U23s for me next season or they may want me to go out somewhere on loan.
I just don’t know.

“I’m not thinking too much about it at the moment, I am just going to have a couple of weeks away and make sure I am ready for next season.”