Leicester City v Newcastle United team news as midfielder axed from squad after heated confrontation
Newcastle United face Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Monday night.
Harry Winks has been dropped from Leicester City’s squad following a bust-up with manager Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Newcastle United visit the King Power Stadium on Monday night hoping to maintain their Champions League qualification push. Meanwhile, the Foxes are looking for only their second win in 17 matches to give themselves a slim chance of avoiding relegation.
And as it stands, Leicester are set to be without Winks after The Telegraph revealed the midfielder was axed for the 2-0 defeat to Manchester City on Wednesday evening.
The former Tottenham Hotspur man commutes around 100 miles to the Foxes’ training ground and reportedly refused to compromise on an alternative plan, resulting in a ‘heated’ confrontation with van Nistelrooy during the international break.
It’s claimed Winks rejected a request to stay overnight once a week at the training ground, citing his own private reasons. Van Nistelrooy, who has been in charge since November, is said to view the commute as indiscipline. Leicester's state-of-the-art £100m training base is equipped with hotel accommodation.
It is not yet known whether Winks will make a return to the squad against Newcastle.
Newcastle United triple injury concern
Newcastle are assessing the fitness of three players ahead of the visit to Leicester.
Eddie Howe’s side beat Brentford 2-1 at St James’ Park on Wednesday night in their first match since winning the Carabao Cup. Bryan Mbeumo’s penalty cancelled out Alexander Isak’s opener but the Magpies found a winner when Sandro Tonali’s cross-turned-shot caught goalkeeper Mark Flekken out at his near post.
Isak was withdrawn 10 minutes before Tonali’s strike and replaced by Callum Wilson. Speaking after the game, Howe confirmed the Sweden international, who has become the first Newcastle player in Premier League history to score 20+ goals in consecutive seasons, was feeling his groin.
“You’re defined by ability to score goals in this league, and your attacking players really have to take that responsibility,” said Howe. “I think he’s (Isak) done that unbelievably well since he’s been here.
“It’s not easy to do. I don’t think this was his finest game, and I don’t think he’ll be surprised at me saying that. But he was in the right place at the right time. He maybe got a bit of luck with the finish, but he’s done that consistently, he’s always in the right place.
“I think on another day he would have scored more, but I don’t think he was 100%. That’s why we withdrew him. We hope it’s nothing too serious, but he just wasn’t feeling 100% in his groin. He was just a little bit unsure in his movement, so that’s why we withdrew him.”
Like Isak, Kieran Trippier also had to withdraw in the closing stages. The 34-year-old had picked up where he left off at Wembley by putting in an accomplished display at right-back.
“He said it was like a cramp sensation in his groin,” Howe revealed. “We hope it’s nothing serious, but that is the negative today. We’ve got a few niggles, and we just hope they’re nothing serious. We have such a small squad, as you could see from our bench, so we can’t afford to pick up any more injuries.”
Joelinton played the full game, despite his knee being heavily strapped. The Brazilian had looked to be struggling before receiving on-field treatment midway through the second half.
Howe said: “I think he (Joelinton) epitomises the mentality we need. It’s win at all costs. He’s always there for you in training, Joey, he’s always there for me. He’s a standard bearer in that respect, and you need players like that to set the example for everyone else to follow.
“I think his knee was causing him a bit of discomfort today, it’s the knee that he’s suffered from before. I don’t think he was 100 per cent fit, but it would have taken a lot for Joe to have come off the pitch today. But that’s where we need to assess every little niggle we have and make sure everyone is okay for Monday.”