Ruud van Nistelrooy takes charge of his first away game as Leicester City manager this weekend with a trip to Newcastle United.
Leicester drew 2-2 with Brighton & Hove Albion after coming from two goals down to equalise in the last minute thanks to Bobby De Cordova-Reid.
While the Foxes aim for three games unbeaten their opponents will look to bounce back from their 4-2 loss at Brentford.
Despite the recent uplift in spirits around the King Power Stadium, Leicester could be without as many as six players for the trip to St James’ Park.
One position that is a particular problem is the midfield position and Van Nistelrooy has hinted that he could give one young talent his Premier League debut.
Michael Golding of Leicester City during the Leicester City Training Session and press conference at Seagrave Training Complex on September 12, 202...
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
Ruud van Nistelrooy could hand Michael Golding Leicester City debut against Newcastle
With Boubakary Soumare suspended and Wilfred Nididi and Harry Winks both doubtful with injuries, Hamza Choudhury and Oliver Skipp are the only natural central midfielders available.
By playing those two, there would be no other options available, but Van Nistelrooy has hinted about handing Michael Golding a debut.
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Golding joined the Foxes for £5m from Chelsea in the summer and is highly-rated by many, but has been restricted to playing in the academy squads.
The 18-year-old has been training with Leicester’s first-team recently and been in one matchday squad for the Carabao Cup win against Walsall.
Discussing his options available, Van Nistelrooy name-checked Golding, as well as Will Alves, who has already had minutes with the first-team.
“We have many options, also for when there’s suspensions and injuries,” the Foxes boss said.
“We have some good young lads. Michael Golding is there. Will Alves is a bit higher up the pitch, more of a winger or a no.10, but there’s a lot of options here and it’s great to work like this.”
Ruud van Nistelrooy drops huge hint about how Leicester side could set up against Newcastle
Given the Foxes’ midfield issues heading into Saturday, we may see Van Nistelrooy tweak his style to play a more conservative approach.
On his first day in charge, the Dutchman revealed that he could line up with two deep-lying midfielders or one deep-lying and one forward-thinking number eight.
Asked what he would expect from his midfielders, he said: “Off the ball, they need to be able to jump and press the opponent. They need to be able to cover and get into duels.
“On the ball, we want to play, so they need to be able to provide us the link between the back three towards the no.10s and the wingers. It’s quite a profile for an all-around player. One game you will use more of an no.8 profile than a no.6 profile, but we have it all in the squad.”
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