Ruud van Nistelrooy sends warning to Newcastle United as Leicester City trip just got harder

Add as preferred source on Google

Newcastle United are preparing to take on Leicester City on Monday night, with both teams still fighting for something.

The Magpies are still riding the wave of their Carabao Cup win in March, while Leicester City are struggling for results towards the bottom of the Premier League table.

Newcastle United still have a lot to play for this season, with Champions League football still a possibility following the win against Brentford on Wednesday. However, their hopes took a minor dent following wins for Manchester City and Chelsea in midweek.

For Leicester, they are currently sitting in the relegation zone, having lost their last seven league games.

Eddie Howe may be without Anthony Gordon for the Foxes clash. The 24-year-old is still struggling with a hip problem he picked up while on international duty.

Elsewhere, there were injury concerns for star striker Alexander Isak and Joelinton, with the latter struggling with a knee problem.

With both teams eager to finish the season on a high, Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has delivered a passionate speech ahead of Monday’s game, which is sure to have Howe on high alert.

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s message to Newcastle United

Leicester are in a position where they are desperate for wins to pull them out of the relegation battle. As it stands, the Foxes are 12 points adrift from Wolves in 17th place, meaning it will be a mammoth task to get themselves out of.

For Newcastle, they have their sights set on those above them rather than what is happening below. They will be disappointed to see van Nistelrooy’s side were not able to put up much of a fight against Champions League rivals Man City on Wednesday, but will take solace in the fact that they still have a game in hand to those around them.

Things got heated between the two teams when Leicester came to St James’ Park in December, with Jason Tindall and van Nistelrooy getting into a verbal altercation on the touchline as the Magpies picked up a 4-0 win.

However, the Dutchman is adamant that it will not be the same result on Monday.

Speaking to LeicestershireLive on whether he has experienced form similar to what Leicester are going through now, van Nistelrooy said: “It’s the first time, thank God.

“It’s something I feel that I want to go through this with this team, with the squad, with the staff.

“Stay together, stay connected with them, fight ourselves through this as people and give energy every day to get ourselves out of this.

“For me it’s not something where I feel I want to run away from. I want to be part of this and I want to fight for this with the squad.

“That’s every day. So that’s also leading into Monday’s game. It’s another opportunity for us and we can only hope for some support in our own stadium.”

• READ MORE – Newcastle United hailed by Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy for very ‘clever’ tactic he spotted

Leicester have several important games involving teams around them in the table after Newcastle. van Nistelrooy is still adamant that he is still taking things one game at a time.

“We have to live in reality,” he added. “Twelve points in eight games and a goal difference that is a lot worse, so that’s another point. It’s huge.

“Mathematically it’s not over and we have the obligation to keep going. But also when it’s mathematically over, we still have the obligation to keep going.

“We’re not going to stop. We always have that obligation. We feel we want to defend the club and the badge and our own personal pride to show that we’re capable of getting results in this league and doing better than we’re doing. That’s what we’re looking for.”

• READ MORE – Eddie Howe says Newcastle United star’s future ‘more unclear’ amid exit rumours

Newcastle United’s last five games against Leicester

In the past, Newcastle’s previous results against other teams have proven to be grim reading. However, the Magpies are unbeaten in their last five meetings with the Foxes, something fans will be delighted to hear.

Newcastle ran out deserved winners in their last meeting at St James’ Park and it is a familiar story for most of their other previous meetings.

Howe’s side have only dropped points against Leicester once in their last five meetings, a 0-0 draw at St James’ Park on the penultimate game of the Premier League season.

Newcastle are also currently on a three-game winning streak in all competitions, although Howe may have to bring all three points back to Tyneside with a weakened squad if the likes of Isak and Joelinton are unavailable.