TEENAGED Bury centre-back Matty Foulds could be in the reckoning for a place in tonight's Capital One Cup showdown with Premier League form side Leicester City.

The Shakers host Claudio Ranieri's men on the back of some fragile defensive displays, after shipping nine goals in the last three games.

Manager David Flitcroft drafted in Foulds at the last minute before Saturday's 3-3 draw at Crewe, handing the 17-year-old defender a place on the bench following a promising display for the Under-18s on the morning of the trip to Gresty Road.

He played the first 45 minutes of a 2-0 defeat against Wigan before Flitcroft transferred Foulds to the first-team coach.

The Shakers manager may stop short of thrusting him into the starting line-up for the second-round tie against the Foxes, but he admitted it was an option.

“I watched him (for the youth team) and pulled him off at half time. He was outstanding,” said Flitcroft.

“He reminds me a lot of John Stones – he has no fear, he gets blocks in, he’s a tough, fierce competitor but there is an elegance to him.

“I would have no hesitation in putting Fouldsy on because of what he is doing in training.

“(He’s a viable option) at left centre-half or left-back.”

Bury are light in numbers going into tonight’s tie, with the club’s leading goalscorer Leon Clarke (hamstring) and midfield anchorman Kelvin Etuhu (foot) missing on Saturday along with Craig Jones (groin), Danny Nardiello (back), Ryan Lowe (ankle) and Keil O’Brien (knee).

Flitcroft said Etuhu failed to respond to a painkilling injection and Clarke felt a twinge, and withdrew both players as a precaution.

The manager promised his players before Saturday's draw that a good performance would earn them an opportunity to take on Leicester in what will be the first visit of a top-tier side to Gigg Lane for 23 years.

Danny Rose did his best to seize the moment after replacing Clarke in the side, setting up Tom Soares for the second goal before side-footing home the third.

Whoever gets the nod, Flitcroft believes they will thrive on the opportunity to pit their wits against a side that has picked up seven points from their first three Premier League games of the season.

“It’s a fascinating game, it’s a fascinating contest – one that the players will want to play in,” he said.

“I said that to them before the game (at Crewe), do yourself justice and you will get picked in that team.

“We will pick these boys up and then shape up for the Leicester game and it’s an exciting one.

“I am hoping the town get behind it, I really am, because it’s one of those games that should excite everyone.

“They are a team in form and we are just stuttering a little bit at the minute, so it will be interesting to see where it comes out.”