Ruud Van Nistelrooy addresses future of exciting Leicester City duo | OneFootball

Ben Nelson and Will Alves have gained regular second-tier minutes this season

Ruud Van Nistelrooy believes that Ben Nelson and Will Alves could become regulars in Leicester City's squad next season.

Plenty of uncertainty is clouding over the King Power Stadium at present, with the Foxes already preparing for life back in the EFL after a disastrous campaign of Premier League football.

The same can be said for Ipswich Town and Southampton too, with the latter of the fellow relegated sides on the receiving end of what was the Dutchman's third top-flight victory in the East Midlands, with goals from Jamie Vardy and Jordan Ayew sealing a 2-0 victory against the league's bottom club.

Unsurprisingly, the future of many high-profile players remains up in the air, as well as Van Nistelrooy's in the dugout.

However, the 48-year-old believes the aforementioned duo, who have gained plenty of Championship experience this term with Oxford United and Cardiff City respectively, could be utilised by the club on a much more frequent basis, with discussions over their predicaments set to commence imminently.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy outlines Ben Nelson, Will Alves stance as crunch talks set to commence

Nelson made a small breakthrough during the Foxes' second-tier title-winning success under Enzo Maresca, but a tally of 17 games for Oxford has been his first 'regular' involvement in the division, despite suffering a lengthy quad injury which kept him sidelined between November and March.

Meanwhile, Alves was involved in Leicester's EFL Cup campaign and played one minute of a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in late December before joining the Bluebirds on loan on Deadline Day in February. The winger made 14 appearances for Cardiff, scoring once against Preston and registering three assists, but it wouldn't be enough to stave off relegation to League One as the South Wales outfit finished bottom of the Championship.

However, it has been reported by the Leicester Mercury that Van Nistelrooy will hold talks with the homegrown pair at the Foxes' training base on Tuesday, with the former Manchester United striker believing that they could become valuable as the club mount an immediate promotion bid next term.

“When Ben was here going through his recovery, I spoke a lot with him,” he revealed. “I knew also his profile, his qualities, his games at Oxford before the injury.

“He’s done really well. They will be in on Tuesday here, both of them, and I’ll be having a conversation with them," the Leicester boss outlined.

“The objective was to play and make minutes. They are again academy players, which in my opinion is how to move forward. Conversations will take place on Tuesday.

When asked if the duo are to feature heavily in the second-tier, his simple response of “I see that, yes," only added to the former PSV boss' beliefs.

Leicester City have a proven record with academy graduates in the Championship

Whilst it remains to be seen whether Van Nistelrooy will remain at the King Power following the conclusion of the Premier League season on May 25th amid links to Danny Rohl, Lee Carsley and Russell Martin, utilising homegrown talent is something which Leicester have a previous history with in successful Championship campaigns.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall enjoyed loan stints in the EFL with Blackpool and Luton Town prior to making his breakthrough in the Midlands, which culminated in his most productive season of 12 goals and 14 assists as the club eventually won the title prior to his £30m departure to Chelsea.

Victor Kristiansen has been linked with a potential move to Everton in recent weeks, which could open the door for Nelson to become first-choice at left-back, whilst Alves looks set to play a role of his own after impressing under Omer Riza and Aaron Ramsey despite Cardiff's dismal season.