If someone is snapping at your heels you will perform week in and week out Steve Howard

Leicester City striker Steve Howard says the side's defensive stability under new boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is the reason for their recent resurgence.

City have kept clean sheets in winning three of their last four league games to move up to 15th in the Championship.

And Saturday's 2-0 success over in-form Derby County has put them within four points of the play-off places.

Howard told BBC Radio Leicester: "If we keep clean sheets that's the key. We're a side that will always score goals."

The big striker, who signed a new contract last month, added: "We are ticking over nicely, climbing the table slowly and that will do us."

And Howard said the takeover and one or two new arrivals is also playing a big part in helping the side climb towards the top half of the table.

"It's great to have competition, you need to keep players on their toes," he added.

"If your position is safe, you can get a little bit stale and not put in the performances that you should. But if someone is snapping at your heels you will perform week in and week out."

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