​Leicester City youngster George Thomas is reportedly in line for promotion to the Foxes first-team after impressing manager Claude Puel with his performances for the club's Under-23 team this season.


According to journalist Jack Pitt-Brooke, Thomas was in line for a possible loan move in January, with Championship side Sunderland seemingly the most likely destination.

However, having joined Leicester from Coventry City in the summer, the 20-year-old has made a strong enough progress to merit a chance in the senior squad instead.


Leicester U23 manager Steve Beaglehole hinted to the Leicester Mercury last month that, while a loan was more likely, a promotion to first-team action would not actually come as a surprise if Thomas maintained his form.

"The next step for him in January will be to go out on loan or, who knows, if he keeps making the impact he is making, being in and around the first team," Beaglehole said.


The same Mercury report noted that former Leicester boss Craig Shakespeare had regularly been checking on the progress of the club's U23 side, something that has continued since Frenchman Claude Puel took charge following Shakespeare's dismissal.

Puel has a strong reputation when it comes to young players. Prior to being named head coach at Monaco in 1999, he managed the club's reserve side and has had an eye on youth development wherever he has been since, famously handing a 16-year-old Eden Hazard his senior debut at Lille back in 2007.