Leicester City’s opponents could welcome back one of their key players this weekend as the Foxes make the long journey to the north east.
Newcastle United await for Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side, who will be looking to make it three games unbeaten under the Dutchman.
Eddie Howe’s side have two wins from 11 Premier League games in a disappointing return for a side expected to be challenging for a European spot, only to find themselves in the bottom half of the table.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 11 |  TottenhamTottenham | 15 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 31 | 19 | 12 | 20 |
| 12 |  NewcastleNewcastle | 15 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 19 | 21 | -2 | 20 |
| 13 |  Man UtdManchester United | 15 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 19 | 18 | 1 | 19 |
| 14 |  West HamWest Ham | 15 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 20 | 28 | -8 | 18 |
| 15 |  EvertonEverton | 14 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 14 | 21 | -7 | 14 |
| 16 |  LeicesterLeicester | 15 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 21 | 30 | -9 | 14 |
| 17 |  Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace | 15 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 14 | 20 | -6 | 13 |
| 18 |  IpswichIpswich | 15 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 27 | -13 | 9 |
| 19 |  WolvesWolves | 15 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 23 | 38 | -15 | 9 |
| 20 |  SouthamptonSouthampton | 15 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 11 | 31 | -20 | 5 |
Despite all of their riches, Newcastle have had to deal with several injury problems but could be handed a major boost with the return of one star.
- READ MORE: The six Leicester City players who could miss this weekend’s clash against Newcastle United
Newcastle team news: Joe Willock set to return to squad for Leicester clash
While Jamal Lascelles and Emil Krafth both remain ruled out until next year, Newcastle are likely to have Joe Willock available for the game at St James’ Park.
Willock, who joined in a £20m permanent deal in 2021 after impressing during a loan spell from Arsenal, missed the Magpies’ 4-2 defeat to Brentford with a hamstring issue.
There were doubts about whether he would recover in time but it appears that the injury wasn’t as severe as first feared and that the England youth international should be in contention.
Towering defender Sven Botman is edging closer to a return after a long-term ACL injury. Although he has returned to first-team training, minutes in the tank with the Under-21s is the best route before a January 2025 return.
Leicester City record against Newcastle
Any trip to face Newcastle is always going to be a tough one for the Foxes.
The last time they travelled to St James’ Park, the Foxes hung on for dear life as they drew 0-0 in a game that would ultimately result in them being relegated from the Premier League a few days later.
| Leicester wins | 49 |
| Draws | 28 |
| Newcastle wins | 57 |
Leicester have won 49 of the 134 meetings between the two teams whereas the hosts have had the upper hand, winning 57 times.
Saturday is Van Nistelrooy’s first away game as Leicester boss and he’ll be hoping to continue the good start and extend his own unbeaten run as a manager, which stretches back to his time as PSV manager.