Newcastle United handed double injury boost v Leicester City as key man returns to starting XI

Newcastle United are set to welcome back Jacob Murphy and Sean Longstaff for the visit of Leicester City to St James’ Park this evening (kick-off 8pm).

Following Thursday night’s 4-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion, coupled with Liverpool’s draw at home to Aston Villa, Eddie Howe’s men will seal Champions League qualification if they avoid defeat against the Foxes.

And United have been handed a major pre-match boost. Although Joe Willock is expected to miss the rest of the campaign with a hamstring injury, Murphy and Longstaff return.

Murphy dropped out of the starting XI for the 2-2 draw at Leeds United with a sore groin, which then forced him to sit out of the game against Brighton.

Longstaff, meanwhile, has missed matches against Southampton, Arsenal, Leeds United and Brighton after sustaining a foot injury in the 4-1 win at Everton on April 27.

Both players are back in the matchday squad tonight, and NewcastleWorld understands Longstaff is in line to start against relegation-threatened Leicester in place of the injured Willock.

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