Mandaric looks forward to Foxes challenge

Prospective Leicester owner Milan Mandaric insists he is relishing the "challenge" of restoring the club to the Premiership as he prepares to meet club directors next week.

The Foxes' board of directors confirmed on Friday that Mandaric had made a formal offer to purchase a controlling stake in the club and Mandaric is hopeful he can bring as much success to the Walkers Stadium as he did to his former club Portsmouth.

Mandaric told PA Sport: "All my life I have been part of football but I really didn't think I would be back so soon.

"I still live under the great influence of Portsmouth but Leicester is a great club and there are a lot of similarities (with Portsmouth) as far as the support, the infrastructure and their position financially in the football area.

"I always look for a challenge and there will be a lot of challenges. There are lot of good clubs in the Championship and it's not going to be a picnic (to win promotion).

"It is the great supporters Leicester have that really give me a lot of incentive to make the move, but there is a long way to go and we will have to see what happens.

"I expect to meet with the directors of Leicester next week. The ball is in their court - they are the ones who have to analyse the proposal I have made."

Mandaric ended his association with Portsmouth earlier this year after selling his stake in the south-coast club to businessman Alexandre Gaydamak, having helped the club win promotion to the Premiership and consolidate their position in the top flight.