Leicester City v Newcastle United Team News as midfielder axed from squad after heated confrontation
Tensions at Leicester City have reached boiling point as Harry Winks finds himself frozen out of the squad following a heated confrontation with manager Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The midfield playmaker’s absence couldn’t come at a worse time for the struggling Foxes, who prepare to host Newcastle United in a crucial Monday night clash at the King Power Stadium.
The Telegraph reports Winks was dropped for Leicester’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City after refusing to compromise on his 100-mile daily commute from London. Van Nistelrooy, who took charge in November, allegedly demanded the former Tottenham man stay overnight at the club’s £100 million training complex once weekly – a request Winks declined for personal reasons.
The Dutch manager reportedly views the midfielder’s insistence on commuting as unprofessional discipline, especially given the state-of-the-art facility includes dedicated player accommodations.
With Leicester fighting for Premier League survival – having won just once in their last 17 matches – this internal conflict threatens to derail their already slim hopes of avoiding the drop.
Whether Winks will feature against Newcastle remains uncertain, leaving a gaping hole in Leicester’s midfield as they face Eddie Howe’s Champions League-chasing side.
Meanwhile, Newcastle arrive with concerns of their own after emerging from their 2-1 victory over Brentford with three key players nursing injuries. Star striker Alexander Isak, who became the first Magpie to record consecutive 20+ goal Premier League seasons, was substituted with groin discomfort after opening the scoring.
“He wasn’t feeling 100% in his groin – just unsure in his movement,” Howe admitted about his Swedish talisman. “On another day he might have scored more, but we couldn’t risk him.”
The Newcastle boss praised Isak’s predatory instincts while acknowledging this wasn’t his sharpest performance, with the striker potentially benefiting from good fortune on his goal.
Veteran defender Kieran Trippier also exited early with groin issues, reporting cramp-like sensations after another typically composed display.
“We hope it’s nothing serious,” Howe added, acutely aware of his threadbare squad’s limitations. The injury concerns compound Newcastle’s selection headaches, with their substitutes’ bench against Brentford highlighting the club’s lack of depth.
Brazilian powerhouse Joelinton embodied Newcastle’s fighting spirit by playing through knee pain, his heavily strapped joint requiring mid-game treatment before seeing out the full 90 minutes.
“Joe epitomizes the mentality we need – win at all costs,” Howe said of the midfielder. “It would take a lot for him to come off, but we must assess every niggle carefully before Leicester.”
As Monday’s fixture looms, both clubs face critical tests of their squad depth and management. Leicester must resolve the Winks situation quickly to salvage their relegation battle, while Newcastle’s injury concerns threaten to derail their top-four ambitions.
The match promises high drama, with Leicester desperate for points and Newcastle determined to maintain momentum after their Carabao Cup triumph.
Howe’s men will look to build on Sandro Tonali’s bizarre winner against Brentford – a mishit cross that embarrassed goalkeeper Mark Flekken – but must do so without compromising their walking wounded.
For Leicester, Van Nistelrooy’s handling of the Winks situation could define his short tenure, with the club’s Premier League status hanging in the balance. One thing is certain – neither side can afford further setbacks as the season reaches its decisive phase.