Leicester City go in search of their second victory under Ruud van Nistelrooy when they travel to Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon.
It’s been a hugely impressive turnaround for Leicester under van Nistelrooy, who have gone from having zero hope under Steve Cooper to believing Premier League survival is possible.
Although Opta predicts relegation for Leicester, the Foxes currently have a five-point buffer on the bottom three after salvaging a 2-2 draw against Brighton last weekend.
Confidence is oozing around the King Power Stadium as supporters get used to a refreshing change of attack-minded football while van Nistelrooy will need to come to terms with losing one of his key players.
Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester City is put under pressure by Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton & Hove Albion during the Premier League match between Leicest...
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Leicester City team news ahead of Newcastle
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the Leicester manager revealed that Wilfred Ndidi will be out for a couple of weeks after sustaining an injury in the draw at home to Brighton.
Van Nistelrooy also confirmed that midfield maestro Harry Winks is a doubt for the game as he continues his recovery from the injury he suffered against Chelsea.
It was good news for one of his long-term absentees, though, as winger Abdul Fatawu was pictured at Seagrave after his session in the ice chamber.
Fatawu, who suffered a season-ending injury last month, was with full-back Ricardo Pereira at the training complex.
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Pereira is another who is sidelined for a while, although the Portuguese defender is expected to return in March after picking up a hamstring injury.
Van Nistelrooy will also be without Frenchman Boubakary Soumare after he was suspended in the draw at Brighton for picking up his fifth yellow card.
Leicester City predicted lineup vs Newcastle
As a result of Ndidi’s injury and Soumare’s suspension, van Nistelrooy will have to make some enforced changes in midfield.
The most probable partnership is £20 million signing Oliver Skipp and the rarely seen Hamza Choudhury, who has played just 14 minutes in the Premier League this term.
However, van Nistelrooy did talk up youngster Henry Cartwright in his press conference, and that could hint at him making his debut.
Leicester are significantly weakened in the base of midfield, although the Dutchman is strengthened by the return of the talented Facundo Bounanotte in attacking midfield.
Buonanotte couldn’t play against Brighton last time out as he’s on loan from the Seagulls. It would be a huge surprise if he wasn’t thrown straight back into the starting XI.
Leicester predicted XI vs Newcastle: Hermansen; Justin, Vestergaard, Coady, Kristiansen; Choudhury, Skipp; McAteer, Bounanotte, El Khannouss; Vardy.
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