Newcastle United look to build on their first win when they travel to the King Power Stadium on Sunday afternoon to face Leicester City (2pm Kick-Off).

Howe’s side managed their first victory of the campaign last time out at St. James’ Park against Burnley. Callum Wilson scored the only goal of the game to help his side to a 1-0 win as Newcastle also kept their first clean sheet this term.

Despite not conceding for the first time last weekend, Howe has a choice to make at the back ahead of the Foxes clash. The new boss has four available centre-backs for Sunday’s game as questions over the full-back spaces seem to have been answered with the reintroduction of Javi Manquillo and Jamal Lewis to the starting eleven.

Newcastle are expected to remain unchanged from the side that get the job done last weekend but Howe does have options ahead of Sunday with all centre-backs back available for selection.

The Magpies have the third worse defensive record so far this season and have conceded an average of over 2 goals per Premier League game.

The trip to Leicester signals the start of a challenging festive run for Newcastle who face title challengers Liverpool and Manchester City before Christmas. Suspensions have previously forced Howe into several reshuffles, while Paul Dummett is expected to be missing for some time yet.

Ciaran Clark returns from his suspension after seeing red in the crucial clash with fellow strugglers Norwich. Swiss international Fabian Schar is expected to overcome his rib injury sustained in the win over the Clarets as he partnered Jamal Lascelles at SJP and helped guide Newcastle to their first clean sheet of the campaign.

The pair are expected to retain their places at the back, while some fans feel Clark shouldn’t play for the club again following his reckless sending off against the Canaries. Federico Fernandez is yet to break into the starting eleven under Howe, much to the frustration of many Newcastle fans who feel the Argentine would help stabilise the back line.

Howe is expected to keep it the same at the back for the battle with the Foxes.

But with the Newcastle defence coming under increased scrutiny and rightly so, here is a look at the options Howe has at his disposal:

Jamaal Lascelles

The 28-year-old has been at the club since his arrival from Notts Forest back in 2014 and has enjoyed the majority of his best performances in the Championship. The Skipper has played the most minutes at the back for Newcastle this term and put up a decent performance in last weekends win.

However, he has plenty of mistakes in him and gives the ball away too often in important areas. Howe is looking to instil a new style of football at the club and Lascelles often opts for safer and short passes. He has an average record of distribution and is likely to give the ball away on a number of occasions during the 90 minutes.

That being said, Lascelles is perhaps the best option when it comes to a traditional centre-half, not afraid of getting stuck in and looks to be a leader at the back – without always being successful.

His partnership with Schar last weekend helped Newcastle to a first clean sheet and Howe is expected to select the same pairing come 2pm on Sunday afternoon.

Federico Fernandez

The 32-year-old hasn’t featured for the Magpies since the 2-1 away defeat to Wolves in October and has therefore played the least minutes of the available centre-backs this season.

In a recent press conference Eddie Howe branded the Argentine an ‘outstanding player’ but the veteran defender is yet to feature from the start under the new boss.

Fernandez is the second highest winner of aerial battles at the club and played a key part in Newcastle’s draw with Norwich having gone down to ten men in just the eighth minute. Many supporters feel Fernandez should have a place in the starting eleven alongside Schar, especially given the supposed chance in approach.

Like Lascelles, the former Swansea man is often a leading figure at the back when he features and is perhaps more composed than the Englishman. He is certainly more careful in his defending and dives in much less than skipper Lascelles so may be a safer option if Howe wishes to utilise him.

Fabian Schar

The Swiss international is the best suited for the ball-playing role at the club and is set to feature alongside Lascelles as the Magpies face the Foxes on Sunday afternoon.

Having been left out in the cold by former boss Steve Bruce, the 29-year-old has returned to the squad under Eddie Howe and the new boss is known for front-foot attacking football. Schar started just twice under Bruce, and went more than two months without making an appearance in black-and-white.

Schar is certainly a more attacking option at the back and has the ability to drive out from the back while also being able to play the ball into the midfield.

However, the centre-back has committed the most fouls by any defender at the club and can sometimes get carried away on the ball. As shown by his attempted Cruyff turn in the closing stages against Dene Smith’s Norwich – almost gifting the visitors all three points at SJP.

Howe admitted he has been an ‘admirer’ of the Switzerland international before joining Newcastle, and hopes the club can agree to extend the centre-back’s contract which is due to expire at the end of the season.

Ciaran Clark

The 32-year-old’s sending off cost his team the opportunity of beating relegation rivals Norwich and gaining some much needed points in the battle for survival. The veteran defender should have known better given his experience and is second to the loose ball far too often.

The Republic of Ireland international was brought to SJP by Rafa Benitez and featured heavily in Newcastle’s promotion back to the Premier League – perhaps the Championship was his level.

Clark had been favoured by Howe before his red card but may fall out of favour as Newcastle claimed their first clean sheet last weekend as the 32-year-old sat out. He will have to fight hard to get his place back.

To some, Clark shouldn’t feature again after his moment of madness and is a prime example of the second-rate quality at the club. He is likely to miss out as Howe is expected to name a unchanged side.

Thoughts?

Who would be your centre-back pairing on Sunday? Can Newcastle build on the momentum gained from the win over Burnley? Score predictions?

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