Leicester City face a trip up north for a Premier League meeting with Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon.
Leicester City appear to have turned a corner since Ruud van Nistelrooy was announced as their new boss.
The former Manchester United man replaced Steve Cooper after 12 Premier League games and results have already improved massively.
Cooper won just two league games, while Van Nistelrooy has managed to garner four points from his opening two fixtures as Leicester manager.
The Foxes earned a 2-2 draw with a Europe-chasing Brighton last weekend and now sit 16th in the Premier League table.
Newcastle are up in 12th ahead of kick-off but their form has been mixed of late, with Eddie Howe dealing with some injury issues ahead of Leicester.
Leicester City Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy during the Leicester City Training Session and press conference at Seagrave Training Complex on December...
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
Ruud van Nistelrooy must consider shock start for Patson Daka vs Newcastle United
Leicester have injury problems ahead of Newcastle, with a number of key players expected to miss out on the game.
These include but are not limited to Abdul Fatawu, Boubakary Soumare, Wilfred Ndidi and Harry Winks.
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Midfield is the main area of concern for Ruud going into the meeting at St James’ Park, with Oliver Skipp and Hamza Choudhury the only senior options available.
Henry Cartwright could start for Leicester against the Magpies after training with the senior side this week.
However, the midfielder is very inexperienced and Van Nistelrooy may be better served reshaping his forward line for the 3pm kick-off.
Bilal El Khannouss could drop slightly deeper in the eleven and operate alongside one of Skipp or Choudhury.
This would open the door for Patson Daka to come into the team further forward.
Daka is yet to start a league game this season and as per Sofascore, only had four touches when he came off the bench versus Brighton last Saturday.
The Nigerian is a natural striker but has experience playing on both wings, meaning a front four of Jamie Vardy, Jordan Ayew, Facundo Buonanotte and Daka could be deployed on Saturday.
Patson Daka of Leicester City during the Leicester City Training Session and press conference at Seagrave Training Complex on December 12, 2024 in ...
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
What Ruud van Nistelrooy has said about Patson Daka
Daka has only played 76 minutes of football across four appearances in the league this season, so his name being included in the eleven when it’s released at 2pm would no doubt shock fans.
However, the 26-year-old has the potential the revive his floundering Leicester career under his new manager.
Van Nistelrooy tried to sign Daka when he was at PSV Eindhoven and seemingly remains a fan of the 26-year-old to this day.
Speaking before Brighton last week, the Leicester manager praised Daka, dubbing him ‘quality’.
He said: “Exactly what he showed. You saw his quality. Two, actually. Pressing off the ball with intensity and that makes it easier for people behind him to follow up and get into duels.
“But also in the goal he scored, with the pace has. He can time runs behind defences and hurts them.”
Now, with injury and suspension depleting Leicester’s squad this week, it could be the perfect time for Van Nistelrooy to hand Daka a proper chance to prove himself.
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