Leicester City have sealed their promotion back to the Premier League.
Leeds United’s shock 4-0 loss at the hands of Queens Park Rangers ensures Enzo Maresca’s side can no longer finish outside the automatic promotion spots, sealing their return to England’s top flight at the first time of asking.
The Foxes are still in the lead for the Championship title and could seal top spot as early as Monday, although they would need third-placed Ipswich Town to fall to Hull City on Saturday.
Leicester were heavy favourites to win immediate promotion back to the Premier League at the start of the season and began the campaign in electric form, with many handing them the Championship title after just a few months.
However, a serious downturn in form in February saw their lead at the top of the table demolished as Leeds, Ipswich and Southampton came charging forward, but Maresca’s side managed to hold on and have now achieved their goal of automatic promotion.
Leicester’s return to the Premier League could bring about some uncomfortable issues, however. The Foxes have been charged with financial breaches and have even threatened legal action against league officials over the ruling.
According to reports, those financial issues could see Leicester forced to part ways with at least one key player, with several top sides watching midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Their rediscovered top-flight status will allow Leicester to demand a larger fee for Dewsbury-Hall, who could be available for around £40m – £15m more than if the Foxes had failed to exit the Championship.