Leicester City, on Friday night, secured promotion back to the Premier League after Leeds United were beaten 4-0 at QPR.

The result leaves Leicester top of the Championship table, four points clear of Leeds in second, meaning only Ipswich can still catch them – ensuring them of at least second place.

Leeds will find themselves outside the top two if Ipswich beat Hull on Saturday or Coventry in their game in hand on Tuesday.

It will come as a welcome relief to Enzo Maresca and his side as they prepare to head to Preston on Monday night that they have got the job done.

Leicester were top of the Championship for the majority of the season, but a major dip in form that saw them lose six games in 10 between February and April had left them in a vulnerable position.

They were also dealt the blow of being charged for allegedly breaching the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules, meaning they could face a points deduction next season.

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In March, Leicester said they were taking legal action against the Premier League and EFL after being charged with those alleged breaches.

But on the pitch, recent wins against West Brom and Southampton took them back to the top of the league, and now they are able to focus solely on winning the Championship title.

Leeds manager Daniel Farke said: “It’s not in our hands anymore (automatic promotion), we need to be honest.

“The race is not over, if Ipswich win the next two games then I will say congratulations but if they don’t win them then we will have a lot to play for (against Southampton on the final day of the season).

“As long as we have a chance, I’m far away from giving up.”

Leicester were shock Premier League champions in 2016 but were relegated with Leeds and Southampton last season.

The Star