Three Newcastle United players ruled out Leicester City clash - with one doubtful

Newcastle United will be without at least three senior players for their Premier League clash at Leicester City this afternoon (kick-off 3pm).

Alexander Isak is set to sit out of the Magpies’ festive fixtures as he continues his recovery from a thigh injury that has kept him sidelined since September.

“He’s doing well,” Howe said on Friday. “We’re pleased with him. Is he going to make the next couple of Premier League games? At this moment in time, I’m not sure. Probably not.

“He’s out running and he’s kicking a ball but as I’ve said many times when you re-injure a part of your body as he did, we have to be careful.

“We’re listening to the medical team to try and get the next part right because this is the most important bit. He’s nearly there, we just have to make sure when he steps onto the pitch, he’s fully ready.

“I don’t want to half-ready a player, he has to be ready to execute what we need.”

“He’s going in the right direction and we hope in a busy January period we’ve got coming up we can play a big part in that.”

Also ruled out for the Magpies are Emil Krafth (ACL) and Paul Dummett (back).

Dummett has made just one appearance for United this campaign - a Carabao Cup tie at Tranmere Rovers - have suffered from a calf injury and now a back issue. Krafth, as we know, is likely to miss the rest of the season after being stretchered off in that very game.

Elliot Anderson could return to the matchday squad, although is a doubt after missing the midweek win over Bournemouth, where Howe’s side advanced into the last eight of the Carabao Cup.

Speaking after that game, Howe said: “Elliot is working back to fitness. He’s had a couple of niggles behind the scenes so he’s doing some fitness work at the moment to make sure he’s fully fit.”

A part from those players, Howe is set to have a fully fit squad to select from, including returning World Cup stars Callum Wilson, Kieran Trippier, Nick Pope, Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar.

“In the main, I think we’re pretty good,” Howe admitted. We had a good training session yesterday (Thursday). The players seem in good spirits and looking forward to returning to the Premier League.”

Newcastle’s clash at the King Power Stadium is the first Premier League match since the World Cup break.