After joining the club on loan from Liverpool in March, energetic midfielder Jay Spearing has quickly proved himself in a Leicester City shirt, dislodging club captain Matt Oakley from the side and grabbing his first Foxes goal in Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Watford.

The 21-year-old, who has previously featured in the Premier League and Champions League for the Anfield club, signed a three-year contract with The Reds last season, but eager for more first team action, he saw City as the perfect club at this stage of his career.

“I’ve come here to gain experience and I don’t think there’s a better club to come to at the moment. They’re on their way up with a lot of young players, a top manager and a great set of lads . Obviously it’s a chance for me to impress and show what I’m capable of and that’s exactly what I’ve come to do. Hopefully I can keep doing that and help the team out too.”

Clearly enthused by the opportunity to be part of a promotion push, Jay explained the differences between playing for Liverpool’s second string and being a regular starter for City.

“In reserve team football you get 200 people come to watch if you’re lucky and here every week you get at least 20,000. That’s massive for the team and it gives the lads a lot of confidence having a big crowd behind them.

“The other differences are the tempo, the fitness and the physical side of it. Everything’s different in reserve team football and that’s what I needed to get away from. I wanted to go away and play games at a higher level and compete for points every week. All the points are massively important at this stage of the season.”

Spearing already knew City defender Jack Hobbs from his time with Liverpool and admits that Hobbs and the rest of the squad have helped him settle in at The Walkers Stadium.

“The lads welcomed me massively from the off. I knew a few already and that helped me settle in quickly. They’re a great bunch of lads to work alongside and obviously I want to do everything I can for the team.

“There’s plenty of banter going everyday – they love a bit of banter this lot. I knew Jack, which helped me settle in a little quicker and Vaughny as well. They’re a good bunch of lads but when it comes down to it, when the games come round, we all take seriously.”

Usually up against the likes of Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano for a starting spot, competition for places isn’t new to the young midfielder and Jay was keen to make his mark at City as soon as possible.

“Obviously, like anywhere there’s going to be competition for places and I knew straight away that I wasn’t going to come and walk into the team. I had to prove myself and make the boss pick me, and now I just want to keep it going until the end of the season.”

City manager Nigel Pearson has been pleased with the Liverpool man’s contribution and sees his Anfield background as a key attribute.

“I’m sure Jay’s probably a little bit surprised and didn’t expect to get into the starting line-up so quickly, but he’s got quite a bit of experience in terms of playing at Liverpool. Again, he’s another young player who wants to do well and will see this as a good opportunity to get some experience. He comes from a club with a winning mentality and I think that’s important.”

Spearing’s deal runs until the end of the season and the diminutive midfielder is available to play at Wembley, should City finish in the play-offs and reach the final. Jay sees the chance to play in such a massive game as a great motivation.

“I think we’re doing really well and we’re all working hard for each other. Hopefully we can reach the play-offs by the end of the season. It’s a massive incentive for anyone, especially for a young lad who’s come in on loan and for the rest of the lads as well. After coming so far this season, there’s no point giving it all away. We need to keep on going and if we keep doing the things we’re doing now, I think we’ll make it.”