Former Leicester City defender Matt Elliott has backed the Foxes to easily stay up this season.

The Midlands side languished in the bottom three for much of the 2014-15 campaign, but ex-manager Nigel Pearson guided them to safety with a few games to go.

New boss Claudio Ranieri started his reign with a 4-2 win over Sunderland, and Elliott thinks that this may be the springboard to a good season.

He told Sky Sports News: "Last season they started off well then had a dip in the middle that seemed to last an eternity then they pulled it out the bag in the last nine games.

"I don't envisage that happening this season. Hopefully the season will be on an even keel for a lot longer. I think the players have developed an extra confidence, both as individuals and as a team. They know they can compete and win games and, as they did on Saturday, dominate games as well.

"That's given them an extra spring in their step and brought them together and they're an even stronger unit this year so far and I think they'll continue with that."

Leicester face West Ham United on Saturday.