posted on Jun, 6 2003 @ 08:25 AM
Leicester have been told by Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy that former Foxes winger Matt Piper is not for sale.
The Black Cats chief is under strict orders to reduce the wage bill at The Stadium of Light this summer - but insists not every player in his squad is
available.
And he has warned the Foxes that England Under-21 international Piper is not about to return to his old club this summer.
Speculation has been rife this week that Leicester boss Micky Adams is lining up a �1m bid - but McCarthy scoffed at that valuation of a player he
sees as central to his promotion plans.
"There would be uproar if we let him go for that just a year after bringing him here for �3.5m," he said. "He is here to inspire our supporters.
"He has had two operations and has hardly played since coming here, but I want to keep the lad, and I want him to play for us next season."