Nigel Pearson has said that Leicester City are making progress in negotiations with their 11 soon-to-be out-of-contract players.

While some of the 11 will be allowed to run their contract down to end of the season or possibly leave this transfer window, securing the long-term future of the likes of Kasper Schmeichel and David Nugent is a priority for Pearson, whose contract also runs out this summer.

He told BBC Radio Leicester: "I am hopeful that we can get some of the situation resolved."

The other nine players whose contracts expire are Sean St Ledger, Marcin Wasilewski, Wes Morgan, Paul Konchesky, Zac Whitbread, Neil Danns, Martyn Waghorn, Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Lloyd Dyer.

"It is a balancing act for us in terms of the financial side and commitments but also we want to sustain what is a very positive first half of the season," Pearson added.

"I understand the questions and concerns about [the contract situation], but we have to get the priorities right."

The Foxes are currently four points clear at the top of the Championship.