Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson has insisted that Liam Moore will not be leaving the club, despite speculation linking him with a move to Newcastle United.

The 20-year-old defender, who has won the Football League's Young Player of the Month award for September, has reportedly attracted the interest of the Premier League club.

However, Pearson is confident that Leicester will keep hold of the player.

"I suppose speculation is always going to coincide with someone being recognised. He is a very important member of our squad and I have no intention of him leaving us," Pearson told the Leicester Mercury.

"I suppose if there are links to big clubs like that, it shows he is moving in the right direction.

"I don't think anything like that is ever helpful, in all honesty. There doesn't seem to be too much breathing space between our players being speculated about by someone else."

Moore has made 14 appearances for the Foxes this season.