On the eve of the January transfer window, Leicester City manager Marti Cifuentes provided a significant update on the future of impressive loanee Jordan James, which is sure to be music to the ears of the Foxes supporters after a mixed campaign so far.

Leicester have struggled for consistency in the first half of the season, with Cifuentes’ side claiming statement victories over Ipswich Town, Stoke City, and Birmingham while failing to put together the necessary run of form to force their way back into promotion contention after being relegated from the Premier League alongside the Tractor Boys and Southampton.

The Foxes have won nine, drawn seven, and lost eight of their first 24 games, putting them in 12th place, four points behind sixth-placed Watford at the conclusion of the calendar year.

Developments in the winter transfer window, then, could be critical if Leicester are to make up ground in the season’s latter stages and climb to the top of the Championship table.

Further reinforcements are, of course, desperately needed at the King Power Stadium, but the Foxes’ ability to retain assets will also be critical, with star winger Abdul Fatawu reportedly interested in joining AFC Bournemouth amid Antoine Semenyo’s anticipated blockbuster move to Manchester City.

Leicester’s standout performer, however, has arguably been the aforementioned James, who has provided a strong goalscoring presence in midfield during an impressive loan move from French club Rennes – and Cifuentes has now revealed a promising update on the Welsh international’s immediate future in the East Midlands.

Marti Cifuentes reveals huge Leicester City and Jordan James transfer boost.

James has had a tremendous impact at Leicester since his deadline-day loan deal, quickly establishing himself as a firm fan favourite among the Foxes faithful.

The Birmingham academy product is Leicester’s highest goalscorer this season, with seven strikes in just 20 appearances, including successive goals against Watford and Derby County before tomorrow’s trip to Sheffield United.

With James continuing to thrive despite City’s dismal league campaign, there has been speculation that Rennes may attempt to recall the 21-year-old midfielder to either compete in Ligue 1 or be sold. Leicester, of course, have the option to buy James at the end of his loan period.

However, Cifuentes has downplayed any concerns about James being recalled prematurely, in what is a significant boost for Leicester moving into the summer market.

According to the Leicester Mercury, when asked if Rennes included a recall option in James’ contract, the Spaniard merely shook his head. Cifuentes then stated about the 25-cap Welsh international, “JJ is a very important player for us. We’re quite pleased with him.

Again, he’s another man that wants to improve and leave his imprint on whatever we do.

“We definitely have a plan as a club with him. The most essential thing is that he is satisfied here.”

Cifuentes’ update on Jordan James is a significant boost for Leicester City, who have a number of issues to address in January to boost their promotion ambitions and competitiveness for a quick return to the Premier League.

If Rennes had been able to recall James, Leicester would have had to scramble to find a replacement.

That would not have been an easy feat, however, given that the Hereford-born youngster had established himself as the best goalscoring midfielder in the Championship, routinely providing a massive, all-action outlet in the middle of the park for Cifuentes’ team.

Leicester still require a striker, as Jordan Ayew and Patson Daka have struggled for form this season, while Argentine loan forward Julian Carranza is reportedly set to be recalled from his goalless loan spell at parent club Feyenoord and sold to Mexican top-flight club Necaxa.

The Foxes’ defence is also one of the weaker in the Championship and needs to be improved, whereas Fatawu’s future in Leicestershire is once again in doubt, and keeping him at all costs is high on the club’s list of top transfer priorities for January and beyond.

It’s unclear how the winter window will pan out for Leicester, who continue to suffer plenty of anger and uncertainty but have received a timely, and potentially season-defining, boost with Cifuentes’ revelation about James.