Leicester City are back in action on Saturday as they take on Queens Park Rangers in the third round of the FA Cup.
Leicester are currently on a five-game losing skid and desperately need a win in any form, so the return of the FA Cup is certainly a welcome one.
It also gives some of the fringe and academy players a chance to shine and perhaps give Ruud van Nistelrooy something to think about ahead of the Premier League clash against Crystal Palace.
Will Alves in particular has been teetering on the edge of van Nistelrooy’s squad and is expected to start against QPR.
He may be joined by a fellow academy star as Leicester City News predict the starting line-up for the clash.
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Leicester City team news vs QPR
Ricardo Pereira and Abdul Fatawu are the only long-term absentees as they recover from serious injuries.
Fatawu is out for the season after having surgery on his ACL whilst Pereira isn’t expected to be back until March at the earliest with a hamstring issue.
Kasey McAteer, Wilfried Ndidi and Mads Hermansen are all believed to be close to returning, though, the latter’s groin problem is taking longer to recover than expected.
None of the aforementioned City stars are expected to play any part this weekend.
Leicester predicted XI vs QPR
Daniel Iverson is likely to get the nod in goal with a much-changed back four ahead of him consisting of James Justin, Wout Faes, Caleb Okoli and Luke Thomas.
Stepping into midfield sees the return of Oliver Skipp who could partner Boubakary Soumare in the double pivot. Facundo Buonanotte is expected to operate in the number 10 role.
Patson Daka will likely lead the line with Bobby De Cordova Reid and Will Alves on the flanks.
Van Nistelrooy could call up 15-year-old ‘wonderkid’ Jeremy Monga, who may well get his debut off the bench.
Monga has been impressing for the under-21s and is being tipped to achieve big things in the game, hence the interest from the Premier League’s elite.
Leicester XI (4-2-3-1): Hermansen; Justin; Faes, Okoli, Thomas; Skipp, Soumare; Buonanotte, Will Alves, De Cordova Reid; Jamie Vardy.