Leicester City defender Jonny Evans believes Kolo Toure can help the team improve on their defensive performances on the playing field. The ex-Ivory Coast international joined the Hoops as part of the backroom staff alongside Brendan Rodgers and this has certainly contributed in an upturn in fortunes for the east Midlands outfit.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Evans acknowledged that Toure could have a key impact on the defensive proceedings on the field, given his prior experience of playing for some of Premier League’s elite. He added that the team must need to manage games with their recent tendency to concede early goals and hopefully, Toure can give the team with much-needed encouragement.

He said: “If you look at the clubs he has been at; Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Celtic, it is amazing really. He has only been here with us a few days but I am sure he will be able to give advice over the coming weeks. We have to learn how to manage games and hopefully he can give us that and give us that encouragement as players go out and carry it out.”

“Leicester had been on a seven-match winless run across all competitions under Claude Puel earlier last monthand this convinced the hierarchy to make the change. Right from Rodgers’ appointment, there has been a reaction from the players and this has contributed to three wins from the past four matches including the terrific 2-1 “comeback triumph at Burnley, where Harry Maguire was red-carded after just four minutes on the clock.

At the first international break of 2019, Leicester find themselves three points behind the seventh position and Evans and co. will be determined to push for the spot, given that offers them a potential route to the Europa League, should Manchester City end up winning the FA Cup this season.