Newcastlevs.Leicester

New head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy has confirmed that Wilfred Ndidi is facing "a couple of weeks" out with a hamstring injury and the midfielder will join Abdul Fatawu (knee), Jakub Stolarczyk (ankle) and Ricardo Pereira (hamstring) in the treatment room.

Boubakary Soumare is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards, while Harry Winks remains doubtful with a groin problem and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.

Leicester are now light in the midfield department and Van Nistelrooy is likely to call upon Oliver Skipp and Hamza Choudhury to start in the middle of the pitch. Even if Winks is passed fit to play, a start seems unlikely.

Facundo Buonanotte was unable to play against his parent club Brighton in last weekend's 2-2 draw at the King Power Stadium, but the Seagulls loanee is available to return against Newcastle and could be handed a start in the number 10 role.

The Argentine could operate in behind striker Jamie Vardy, who has contributed to four goals (two goals, two assists) in his last three matches, while Kasey McAteer, Bilal El Khannouss, Jordan Ayew, Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Stephy Mavididi all battle for starts out wide.

Van Nistelrooy will weigh up whether to stick with Conor Coady and Jannik Vestergaard or recall one of Wout Faes or Caleb Okoli at centre-back, while James Justin and Victor Kristiansen are set to continue as full-backs.

Leicester City possible starting lineup: Hermansen; Justin, Coady, Vestergaard, Kristiansen; Choudhury, Skipp; McAteer, Buonanotte, El Khannouss; Vardy

Written by

Oliver Thomas