Sports
Newcastle’s Premier League battle with Leicester on Sunday expected to go ahead as Foxes face Napoli this evening
Following news earlier this week that Leicester City had been hit with a Covid-19 outbreak, their Europa League clash with Napoli is set to go ahead on Thursday evening.
Subsequently, the Foxes’ clash at the King Power on Sunday afternoon with Newcastle United is expected to go ahead despite seven first team players and three staff members testing positive for Covid at the Midlands club.
The positive cases haven’t travelled to Naples for the game this evening – Kelechi Iheanacho, Ademola Lookman, Daniel Amartey and Jannik Vestergaard are among those who were not on the plane.
Sky Sports News have reported the situation is not comparable with the one at Tottenham, but Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers did confirm ten positive cases ahead of their Europa League battle.
Should Leicester lose the European clash with Serie A title challengers, their hopes on proceeding to the knockout phase will hinge on the game between Legia Warsaw and Spartak Moscow, where the Foxes will be hoping that the former can pull off an upset and get a draw.
What does this mean for Newcastle United visit to the King Power Stadium?
The Foxes host Newcastle in the Premier League on Sunday as the game is expected to go ahead as Leicester can field more than fourteen players and have more than one goalkeeper available.
The home side will want to bounce back from the frustrating 2-1 defeat at Villa Park on Sunday afternoon, while the Magpies head into the game with added momentum after their first win of the season over Burnley at St James’ Park.
A win could see the visitors move to up to 13 points and increase their chances of survival heading into the January transfer window. While the Foxes could move up as far as eighth with a victory.
Ahead of the clash Manager Brendan Rodgers said: “In general, you’re starting to see a few more cases and, for us, it’s always about the health of our players.”
“The players who were unwell who we could have maybe given 24 hours to feel better, we couldn’t take any risk with those, so we’ve kept them at home along with the other guys who were deemed positive,” Rodgers added.
On Monday morning the Premier League released its weekly Covid testing figures for the end of November where seven players are confirmed to have tested positive for the virus – with just sixteen positive tests since the middle of August.
In the Premier League, lateral flow tests are used initially and anyone who tests positive will then take a PCR test to confirm the result.
The 10-day period of self-isolation for anyone who tests positive means Leicester players hit by the outbreak are set to miss their next three games which includes Premier League battles with Newcastle and Spurs.
The Magpies travel to the King Power Stadium on Sunday on the back of their first Premier League win of the season last weekend.
Callum Wilson’s well taken strike in the first half gave Newcastle the win against Burnley at St James’ Park as Eddie Howe’s side look to build on the result ahead of the clash with the Foxes.
Credit: @nufc instagram
Leicester head into the clash following their disappointing 2-1 away defeat to Midlands rivals Villa, after winger Harvey Barnes took the lead for the Foxes early in the first half.
The news about the outbreak may significantly diminish the quality in Rodgers’ side as several first team players are set to miss out.
However big guns, Vardy, Ndidi, Tielemans and Maddison all make the starting line-up against Napoli and are expected to feature against the Magpies.
Newcastle United’s Premier League fixture at Aston Villa last December was postponed following a significant increase in Covid-19 cases at the Magpies’ Training Centre.
However, the fixture with Leicester on Sunday is set to go ahead as Newcastle look to build from their first win and are in desperate need of getting a result come 2pm.
What are NUFC’s chances on Sunday?
The Magpies will be hoping to build on the momentum gained by their first win and given news that Leicester might be weakened following the Covid-19 outbreak, they might fancy their chances.
The Foxes have conceded the most goals from set-piece situations in the Premier League with both Villa goals at the weekend coming this way.
However, a trip to the King Power is always a tough ask, particularly in Newcastle’s current predicament. But, positive result is not out of the question.
Leicester have been much weaker in defence compared to last season and they have failed to keep a clean sheet since the opening day of the campaign, conceding six more goals than at this stage last year. They have also conceded the most straight from corners (6), adding up to just under a quarter of their goals against total.
If Howe’s side can utilise some aerial prowess against the Foxes, then Newcastle could certainly get some joy in that department – something that they’ve no doubt been working on this week on the training pitch.
Only time will tell.
Join in the conversation and have your say…
Newcastle United boss wants to extend the contracts of two players before losing them.
Eddie Howe has expressed in a recent fan Q&A his intentions to keep two out of contract players this summer, Loris Karius and Paul Dummett, according to the Athletic’s Chris Waugh, with both players current contracts set to end this summer.
6 players are currently set to become out of contract come June 1st, Loris Karius, Paul Dummet, Mark Gillespie, Matt Ritchie, Matty Longstaff and Ciaran Clark. However, it is only Karius and Dummett that appear to be safe of getting the chop.
Loris Karius has spent this season as Newcastle United’s third choice keeper, with only one appearance coming in the 2-0 defeat to Manchester United in the Carabao Cup Final. Despite the loss, Karius did little wrong and contributed some wonderful saves late on in that game.
Paul Dummett has had the same treatment, with only one appearance coming his way, a Carabao Cup tie in the second round against Tranmere Rovers back in August. The 31-year-old Welshman is an experienced head and will no doubt have great respect within the dressing room having signed for the club back in 2012 making 205 appearances in that time.
Both players can expect new contracts from Eddie Howe as he has made it known that he wants them both to remain at the club next season.
Who would you want to remain at the club from the current out of contract list – let us know on our social media and follow us for latest North East Updates –https://linktr.ee/northeastupdates
10 players Eddie Howe could look towards with contracts expiring at the end of this season.
The free agent’s market is the absolute cheat code for clubs across the board, being able to avoid the rising transfer fees and getting players through the door through verbal agreements makes life much easier for clubs during the transfer window.
We have compiled a list of 10 free transfers NUFC could sign this summer from Europe’s top five leagues giving them a rating of the potential of them signing and the impact they would have.
- Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund)
The 29-year-old full back has his contract expiring this summer and with NUFC already being hinted at as his potential new club, this one is worth keeping an eye on over the next few months. He would slot straight in at left-back to have healthy competition for fan favourite Dan Burn and add a burst of class and pace to that left hand side. The Portugal international already has an impressive CV and would be looking to show that off to the St. James faithful.
Potential – A
Impact – A
- Yerry Mina (Everton)
With Everton potentially facing the drop this season, a jump from Merseyside to Newcastle could suit the centre back to a T. The 28-year-old Columbian international would add to NUFC’s already in form back line and bring some South American heat as they look to progress further next season. Mina possesses dominance, aggression, and a great ariel threat and would be a top addition to the magpies this summer.
Potential – B
Impact – A
- Jonathan Bamba (Lille)
An explosive winger who made his name known as Lille snatched the league title in 2021 in France, the 26-year-old is still yet to receive a contract extension from the club and could be looking elsewhere in the summer. Adding pace, flair, and drive to an already exciting front three for NUFC could be what fans need going into next season.
Potential – C
Impact – A
- Youri Tielemans (Leicester City)
Reportedly being close to leaving in the summer window of 2022, Youri Tielemans would be a fine addition to NUFC’s midfield being able to operate in a slightly deeper role to allow Bruno to push further up the field and do what he does best. The 25-year-old has his contract expiring this summer and with him and James Maddison already being linked to the club, this transfer seems to make so much more sense and would add heaps of quality to the centre of the field.
Potential – B
Impact – A
- Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)
Drive, power, and flair are the 3 best words to describe Crystal Palace star man Wilfried Zaha. The 30-year-old could be looking to depart his beloved club in the hope for European football next season and NUFC could be just the place for him. Being able to operate either on the left or down the middle, Zaha would thrive under Eddie Howe and be a fantastic addition to the front line.
Potential – B
Impact – A
A Sunderland football player on loan to Lincoln FC has had his loan terminated after he was charged with rape.
Jack Diamond, 23, had been arrested after a sexual assault in Washington, Tyne and Wear, last year.
Northumbria Police launched an investigation, but have now charged him with one count of rape and one count of sexual assault.
Lincoln City FC said the player’s loan contract had been terminated “with immediate effect”.
His home club, Sunderland AFC, said he had been suspended pending the outcome of legal proceedings.
In a statement, it said: “Sunderland AFC has been notified that criminal charges have been brought against Jack Diamond by the Crown Prosecution Service.”
“As this matter is subject to a legal process, the club will not be making any further statement at this time”.
The incident is alleged to have happened in May last year.
Mr Diamond, of Fatfield, also Washington, is due to appear before South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court in May.
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