Ruud van Nistelrooy is preparing his Leicester City side for a trip to Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon.
The fans have enjoyed watching Ruud van Nistelrooy’s attacking style in the first two games, putting three past West Ham before salvaging a 2-2 draw against Brighton.
The Foxes will look to make it three games unbeaten when they head to St James Park as they aim to climb up the Premier League table.
Leicester will come up against Harvey Barnes for the first time since he completed a £39m move to Newcastle in 2023.
Barnes is set to reunite with some of his Leicester former teammates this weekend, although one of them has now been ruled out by van Nistlerooy.
Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester City warms up ahead of the Premier League match between Leicester City and Brighton & Hove Albion at King Power Stad...
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
Ruud van Nistelrooy confirms Wilfred Ndidi and Harry Winks injury blows
On their return to the Premier League, there have been few who can say they’ve outperformed midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, who has looked back to his best in the number six role.
In last weekend’s 2-2 draw, Ndidi made his 15th top-flight appearance this term, although it ended on a sour note after the Nigerian was taken off with an issue.
Speaking after the game, van Nistelrooy confirmed Ndidi had a hamstring injury, and now, the Dutchman has confirmed the 27-year-old will be out for a ‘couple of weeks’.
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𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 | Ruud van Nistelrooy confirms that Wilfred Ndidi is unavailable for the game against Newcastle, after picking up a hamstring injury.
He could be out for 'a couple of weeks'.
Van Nistelrooy also says it is ‘doubtful’ that Harry Winks will be ready to play. pic.twitter.com/NttYuMHn6r
— BBC Sport Leicester (@BBCRLSport) December 12, 2024
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In his pre-match press conference, he also revealed that the chances of Harry Winks appearing against Newcastle remain ‘doubtful’.
Winks suffered a groin injury against Chelsea in what turned out to be Steve Cooper’s final game in charge, and he’s been working his way back to full fitness ever since.
Who could replace Ndidi vs Newcastle?
Ndidi is arguably the Foxes’ most important midfielder at the moment. He’s a brick wall in front of the defence and his ball-winning skills are exceptional.
With Boubakary Soumare also suspended for the trip to Newcastle, van Nistelrooy is left with a huge decision to make.
The most natural replacement for Ndidi is Oliver Skipp, although the 24-year-old is yet to repay his £20 million price tag this term.
Another option to come in for the Nigerian is the forgotten Hamza Choudhury, who has appeared for just 14 minutes in the Premier League this term.
In terms of youngsters he could pluck from the academy, Michael Golding was spotted in Leicester’s first-team training, while van Nistelrooy could also turn to Henry Cartwright who has three goals in Premier League 2 this term.
That being said, the most likely to start against Newcastle is Skipp, in what is a golden chance for the Englishman to prove his worth.
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