Ruud Van Nistelrooy confirms player linked with Newcastle United move will miss weekend's clash with Magpies

Newcastle United host Leicester City at St James' Park on Saturday in a 3pm non-televised kick-off.

Leicester come to Newcastle on the back of three games unbeaten and riding that new manager bump after former Manchester United striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy took over the hot seat.

After Newcastle's woes recently, coming up against another in-form team is the last thing we need, but it is what it is, and we will be hoping that home advantage can push us over the line on this one.

It's the start of a three-game week for Newcastle with a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Brentford in midweek and then a trip to Ipswich at the weekend. Newcastle really need to win all three games to rescue their season and get the fans back onside.

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Ruud Van Nistelrooy will be without Harry Winks and Wilfred Ndidi on Saturday

Ruud Van Nistelrooy has given a glimmer of hope for Newcastle by confirming that a couple of big players will be missing from the team sheet on Saturday.

Former Newcastle target Wilfred Ndidi is set to miss the trip to St James' Park along with Harry Winks, according to leicestercity.news.

Boubakary Soumare would be Ndidi's natural replacement for the Foxes but he is suspended which means they are likely to turn to Oliver Skipp who is yet to find his form at Leicester.

Leicester City can still cause Newcastle problems without Ndidi

Leicester not being able to call on Ndidi is a huge positive for Newcastle in itself as he has been massive for them this season, but also knowing that they're having to resort to their third-choice midfielder as a replacement is an extra sprinkle of spice.

Of course, unlike Manchester City, Leicester are not a one-man team and will still cause Newcastle some problems if we let our focus slip.

Harvey Barnes will no doubt be itching to get on the pitch to face his former club for the first time since his £39 million move, but we expect he'll be on the bench again for the Magpies.