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There is a Christmas tree sitting in a cardboard box ready to be put up at Leicester's training ground.

A bit of fake snow dusts the pines and its presence shows Leicester are about to get into the meat of the season.

They are getting ready to put the decorations up and Steve Cooper would surely like some early presents.

A 1-0 win over Bournemouth got Leicester going before the international break but with Southampton, Nottingham Forest and Ipswich to come, opportunity knocks.

On Thursday, Cooper remained respectfully bullish; confident that Leicester can build on the win over Bournemouth, but also wary of the problems Southampton could cause when the Foxes visit St Mary's on Saturday.

The 44-year-old strikes the right tone more often than not. He regularly offers self-deprecating jokes about how he waffles during news conferences and has a manner which is easy to understand and support.

It will help Leicester through this period - one where results will be expected and demanded by a fanbase who, Cooper admits, are yet to be completely won over.

Being an affable, likeable guy will not win Leicester points but should the Foxes come away with some in the next few weeks, that scepticism will start to fade and the Foxes will enter the season of goodwill with growing unity.