Newcastle will be without striker Callum Wilson for another extended period after suffering a setback in his return from injury.
The former Bournemouth man has managed just 66 minutes in the Premier League this season and is expected to be out for several more months.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said: “I really feel for Callum. We see the work, dedication and professionalism he has shown. Not just in his recovery from that injury, his whole career really.
“For me he’s an inspirational player and I think when you’re in those moments, for him, you have to understand how difficult this season has been for him.
“He had a few setbacks when he looked so close to training and playing regularly and building the resilience his body needs to perform. He has not cut corners, he has gone through an intense process to try and stay in shape.
Eddie Howe to Sven Botman:
“He’s been training steadily now for about four weeks, but that was the plan. We’re taking medical advice and trying to follow the right protocols for the injury that he had to try and make sure we give him the best chance to stay fit. The plan is… pic.twitter.com/IDiERxG84T
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 13, 2024
“When you see him not get the final result this time, I feel very sad for him but I’m rooting for him to come back and have the mental toughness he’s going to need to fight again because we know his qualities and we’re desperate to see that it’s playing again.”
Goalkeeper Nick Pope is also a doubt to face Leicester this weekend with a knee injury.
“Every season you have difficult spells”
Newcastle go into the weekend in 12th place – just five points off fifth – and have conceded at least three goals in their last two Premier League games.
But Howe is backing his team to bounce back, starting with Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side.
He said: “Every season you have difficult spells in it.
“When you’re not winning consistently and you’re not at your best, it’s difficult, but you have to find solutions and we’re trying to do that.
“This week we spent a lot of time looking at what tweaks we can make and how we can improve the different functions of the team, it never stops.”
