Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy was nothing short of prolific against Newcastle United in the days when he was patrolling Premier League penalty areas.
In ten meetings with The Magpies, the Manchester United legend hit the target on 11 occasions.
With Leicester City still very much in the relegation picture, meanwhile, the travelling Foxes supporters will be hoping that Ruud van Nistelrooy still has that Midas Touch ahead of Saturday’s 3pm kick-off at St James’ Park.
Leicester, enjoying the proverbial ‘bounce’ Van Nistelrooy’s appointment has given them, have climbed five points clear of the dreaded bottom three. Leicester beat West Ham on Van Nistelrooy’s debut and fought back from 2-0 down to avoid defeat against Brighton and Hove Albion last time out.
Newcastle, meanwhile, have slipped to 12th following their calamitous defeat at Brentford. Eddie Howe’s team let in seven goals in just two games last week. And that will have the ever-ravenous Jamie Vardy licking his lips in anticipation.
Though, regardless of their recent subpar form, Van Nistelrooy is not taking the threat of Newcastle lightly.
Alexander Isak of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammate Bruno Guimaraes during the Premier League match between ...
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy highlights four Newcastle United dangermen
“I need all my time and energy to focus on my own team. I looked at Newcastle and know how strong they are,” the Dutchman said during his Thursday press conference. “We don’t focus on where they are in the league but the potential of where they can be.
“It’s a great squad. We have to be spot on to get a good game.”
As Van Nistelrooy alludes too, Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon are capable of providing match-changing contributions at the drop of the hat.
Leicester may be without Wilfried Ndidi and Harry Winks due to injury, meanwhile. That, coupled with Boubakary Soumare’s suspension, may see a much-changed midfield struggle to keep pace with the destructive Joelinton and the masterful Bruno Guimaraes if they hit full flow.
“[Newcastle have] offensive threats, with Isak and Gordon, and the midfield power they have with Joelinton and Guimaraes,” Van Nistelrooy points out. “They’ve got many options and it’s a good opportunity to continue to grow ourselves.
“I want us to take confidence into the game and the development in areas we’ve been working on. I believe that we can make the next step on Saturday.
“The memory I have of Newcastle is [legendary former manager] Sir Bobby Robson. Leading up to this game, my thoughts went back to the year I had with him at PSV.
“He was a wonderful man and thinking of him makes me smile. I will go there with that thought.”
Callum Wilson injury blow hits Eddie Howe’s Newcastle hard
Howe, meanwhile, has played down suggestions that Joe Willock is set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines. The former Arsenal youngster picked up at knock at Brentford but he has not officially been ruled out of that Leicester City clash.
One player Newcastle will have to do without, though, is Callum Wilson.
The England international centre-forward has suffered a setback of his own, and a far more serious one than Willock’s at that. Wilson took to social media on Thursday morning to express his frustration having only made his long-awaited return to action a few weeks earlier.
This, then, may strengthen Newcastle’s resolve to bring in a replacement centre-forward in 2025.
TBR can confirm Newcastle are eyeing Brazil international Igor Jesus as well as Yuri Alberto, Corinthians’ 31-goal talisman.
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