Van Nistelrooy admits he's a fan of two Leicester teenagers, £20m man could return to XI vs Newcastle
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If there is a positive Ruud van Nistelrooy can take from Leicester City’s injury issues, it’s that this weekend’s Premier League trip to Newcastle United offers the chance to take a deeper look at his Foxes squad.
The former Manchester United interim boss confirmed, during his Thursday press conference, that neither Wilfred Ndidi nor Harry Winks will be available at St James’ Park.
Boubakary Soumare, so impressive since Ruud van Nistelrooy’s appointment in November, is suspended.
Ndidi, potentially out until the New Year, has been an ever-present in the Premier League this season. Soumare, meanwhile, started as Leicester beat West Ham in Van Nistelrooy’s debut and also during Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion.
Winks, the highly-experienced former England international, would likely have to been the first choice to replace the similarly ball-playing Soumare.
But with Winks a doubt, Steve Cooper’s replacement could be forced into a very unfamiliar midfield selection against Newcastle.
Ruud van Nistelrooy hints at Hamza Choudhury role for Leicester City
"[Ndidi] has a hamstring injury so he's not available,” Van Nistelrooy tells reporters. “We'll see how he reacts, but it seems like it will at least be a couple of weeks.
"[Winks is] doubtful. We'll assess him tomorrow to see if he's available but it's something very difficult. Today was the first day he did partial team training."
Oliver Skipp, the £20 million signing from Tottenham Hotspur, feels almost certain to step into the breach.
There could also be only a second outing of the season for the seldom-seen Hamza Choudhury. The Leicester academy graduate, famed for his bone-rattling and occasionally brutal tackles, has played a grand total of 14 minutes across 2024/25.
"First of all, [Skipp] is a very good age,” Van Nistelrooy explains. “A young talented player with a good bit of experience already. Good team player. He's dynamic, can press forward and track back and he's very good on the ball. We need a squad if we have injuries and he's prepared to fill in whenever he's needed.
"We have different profiles in the [number] sixes [but] options are limited because of suspensions and injuries. We don't have the variety right now.
“We have options with Skippy and Hamza and other players who can potentially play there, either from the back-line or from the wings. We have some options trained."
Van Nistelrooy keen to take a closer look at Henry Cartwright
Centre-back Conor Coady started his career as a midfielder, and therefore could be a solution. Bilal El Khannouss or Facundo Buonanotte, meanwhile, may be tasked to playing a deeper-lying role.
Van Nistelrooy also made sure to mention 19-year-old Henry Cartwright, one of Leicester’s most impressive performers at Under-21 level.
Cartwright is yet to make a senior appearances for The Foxes but that could soon change following a run of three goals and two assists in his last seven Premier League 2 matches.
Van Nistelrooy has taken note of the versatile Jayden Joseph too. Slightly younger than Cartwright at 18, Joseph has played as a right-back, a left-back and a winger in the youth team this term.
"It's a continuous process. The way it's organised in the club, I like it, the way everybody is preparing different possibilities. It's whether we want to go for these options,” the 2003 Premier League champion concludes.
“We're looking at different positions to prepare ourselves, but I'm also looking at the current players and the Under-21s. There's young JJ [Joseph], there's Henry…
"It's something we have to be prepared for. We have options of players who don't regularly play there but might have to play [in midfield]. Also players from the Under-21s, to see how players like Henry can do and if he can do a job."
