He went on to score 20 goals before Christmas, the first Leicester player since Derek Dougan 42 years earlier to do so.

In doing so he became the first Leicester player since Arthur Chandler 83 years earlier to hit hat-tricks in successive matches.

He was officially confirmed as a Leicester player on 11 June 2008.

Hipkiss was one of five Leicester players called up for the 2003 IRB U21 World Cup.

After Martin O'Neill left, Izzet remained a Leicester player.

Matty Fryatt also became the first Leicester player to score over 30 goals in one season since legendary striker Arthur Rowley, 52 years previously.

Andy King, who celebrated his 23rd birthday with two goals of his own, said the Leicester players are concentrating on football and not on who their new manager might be.

This record still stands today at the most goals ever scored by a Leicester player in a single top tier season.

But their promotion hopes were dashed when Blackburn striker Mike Newell, a former Leicester player, scored a penalty which took the Lancashire side into the new league.

He said he would not recommend individual Leicester players to the management before next month's Six Nations squad announcement.