LEICESTER striker Ade Akinbiyi has been the target of some discontent with his one goal return for the Foxes this season.

But Rovers defender Henning Berg knows that Rovers will have to be on their guard against a backlash from Akinbiyi, bought for £5m from Wolves July 2000.

"I saw him play against Liverpool the other Saturday and he had chance after chance," said the Norwegian defender of the 26-year-old.

"The fact he got so many chances against a good side like Liverpool shows what a good player he is. He was unlucky not to score against them.

"We do not want to give him that many chances as it is likely he will take one this time. He will get one sooner or later."

Leicester lost that encounter ten days ago 4-1 and they are rooted to the foot of the table although the introduction of manager Dave Bassett, who replaced Peter Taylor recently, could cause an upturn in fortunes.

"Dave Bassett has just come in, he hasn't had a lot of time yet but he will be working with them and they will be trying harder," said Berg.

"They are a strong physical side and it will be a tough game. They will make it difficult for us. They won't play the way West Ham did and we don't expect the same scoreline. They won't give in at the end.

"Sometimes it is harder to compete against teams at the bottom than teams at the top."

Berg knows Leicester have quality throughout the squad with the likes of Muzzy Izzett - who handed in a transfer request last week - Matt Elliott and Robbie Savage, along with Akinbiyi who scored ten goals for the Foxes last season.

"A lot of their players have played in the Premier League when Leicester have done well. They will compete right through the team, we know that especially with players like Wise in midfield and Elliott at the back.

"We have to improve," added Berg. "We have had patches in games where we have played well and patches where we have played poorly. It would be nice to go a full game where we play well.

"I think a lot of teams in this league are like us expect the ones at the top that can play consistently well at this level.

"It is a tough league with a lot of quality. We know that we have to perform better as a team over the next few months to give us a good chance of staying up."

The team certainly has plenty of spirit at the moment.

"We are not short on confidence especially with the West Ham game," continued Berg. "That gave us a lot of confidence.

"We do have to improve though. We have a lot of young players and a few older ones and everyone has to improve individually and as a team. We know we can do better."

Berg was disappointed to concede three against Arsenal last time Rovers played - but happy with a 3-3 draw at Highbury.

"I do not like conceding goals," said the former Manchester United player. "But Dunny scored two good goals and, at the end of the day, we were pleased to get three at Highbury.

"But I was not happy that we let in three. The manager was happy with 3-3 but I would have preferred a 0-0!"