The mood at Leicester City is finally lifting.
Ruud van Nistelrooy has rejuvenated the Foxes’ connection with their fan base, and recent results have sparked belief in Premier League survival.
A crucial win over West Ham last week, followed by a spirited comeback to draw 2-2 with Brighton, has seen Leicester climb five points clear of the relegation zone.
The challenge now is to maintain that momentum, with a trip to St James’ Park to face Newcastle United on Saturday.
Leicester will fancy their chances, especially as Newcastle are coming off a humbling 4-2 defeat to Brentford.
However, van Nistelrooy faces a potential selection headache, with up to six first-team players unavailable.
Leicester Injury and Team News
Midfield anchor Wilfred Ndidi is a major concern after limping off with a hamstring issue during the Brighton match.
“Wilf, when he comes off you know there’s a problem,” van Nistelrooy said, as reported by Leicestershire Live.
Ndidi’s absence adds to Leicester’s midfield woes. Boubakary Soumare is suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the season, while Harry Winks remains doubtful due to a groin injury sustained against Chelsea, Steve Cooper’s final game before his sacking.
In addition, long-term absentees Abdul Fatawu, Ricardo Pereira, and Jakub Stolarczyk remain unavailable, though Stolarczyk has returned to light training and could feature soon.
Hamza Choudhury’s Chance to Shine
Amid the injury crisis, Hamza Choudhury may be handed his first Premier League start of the season.
The 27-year-old was pivotal under Enzo Maresca last term but has been on the fringes under both Cooper and van Nistelrooy. Choudhury has made just one brief league appearance this season, playing 14 minutes against Crystal Palace.
With options limited, Choudhury is likely to partner Oliver Skipp in a double-pivot midfield as Leicester aim to continue their fight against relegation.
The Foxes will need to show resilience, but with renewed belief and key performances from their squad, there’s hope they can pull off a result against Newcastle.
