Leicester City suffered a bruising 4-0 defeat to Newcastle United on the weekend.
The Foxes were dominated from start to finish and the defeat now leaves them in 17th place, just two points above 18th-placed Ipswich Town.
Leicester return to action on Sunday afternoon as they play host to relegation-rivals Wolves at the King Power Stadium.
Wolves could be without talisman Matheus Cunha, who has just been charged by the Premier League for misconduct.
The hosts meanwhile, are contending with a number of injuries across the field, with Mads Hermansen a notable doubt.
Hermansen was forced off with a groin injury against Newcastle, so van Nistelrooy faces a nervous wait to find out whether he’ll be fit this weekend.
Abdul Fatawu, who’s out for the season with an ACL injury, has been a big miss in recent weeks and Leicester have struggled to replace him on the right flank.
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However, Ruud van Nistelrooy could now hand a promising teenager the chance to shine in his absence against Wolves, as a telling hint emerges.
Jeremy Monga of Leicester City during the Leicester City U18 v Chelsea U18: FA Youth Cup match at Seagrave Training Complex on December 13, 2024 in...
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
Jeremy Monga absent from Leicester under-21 squad last night
Jeremy Monga is perhaps Leicester’s most promising and exciting talent.
The 15-year-old winger has been fast-tracked to the under-21s set-up this term and has looked far superior to players six years his senior.
Monga has been labelled a wonderkid and is already being tracked by scouts from the Premier League’s top six.
So, when he was absent from the under-21s squad against Everton last night, it came as quite the surprise.
There’s been no suggestion of an injury so could it be a subtle hint that he’s set to be included in van Nistelrooy’s matchday squad this weekend?
Monga has been training with the first team and with the lack of options out wide, perhaps he could get his big break off the bench.
🚨 All eyes over in Spain, as Premier League’s top 6 scouts were in attendance as they saw Leicester’s U16 Jeremy Monga score and assist in an England 3-0 win over Ukraine.
Leicester will be hoping they do not lose him next summer! 📈🏴 pic.twitter.com/1pbou7fVgF
— TheSecretScout (@TheSecretScout_) September 27, 2024
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Leicester predicted XI vs Wolves
If Monga is called up to the first team against Wolves, it’s very unlikely he starts but rather to be brought in as an impact substitute.
Providing Hermansen and Harry Winks are available, here is how van Nistelrooy is expected to line up on Sunday afternoon.
Hermansen; Justin; Coady, Vestergaard, Kristiansen; Winks, Soumare; Buananotte, El Khannouss, Mavididi; Vardy.