Howe provides fitness update ahead of Foxes trip | OneFootball

United travel to the King Power Stadium (kick-off 8pm BST) targeting a third successive league win following Wednesday's 2-1 victory against Brentford and face a Foxes side languishing in the division's bottom three, winless in their last seven league matches.

Howe is hopeful Alexander Isak and Kieran Trippier, who were both withdrawn during the contest against the Bees, will be available for selection along with Anthony Gordon, who has served his three-game ban following the left winger's straight red card in last month's Emirates FA Cup defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion but sustained an injury whilst on international duty with England.

Here are some of the boss' main talking points from Friday's pre-match media briefing at the Newcastle United Media Centre...

On Fabian Schär, who extended his contract at Newcastle United until the summer of 2026 on Thursday:

“Delighted he has signed. He has been really good this year for us, trains well and is very popular in the squad. He has been an ever-present in the squad when fit so really pleased.

"I think (the supporters) will remember him as a unique player that he is and a defender that is not orthodox, doing things he shouldn't be doing like his finish against Liverpool, having no right to score from there and I can add other goals to that.

"His defensive work since I've been here has improved and, as a defender, you're always judged against that first. He needs to continue that improvement."

On team news:

“We'll wait and see today. I had medical updates yesterday but I will see them [Kieran Trippier and Alexander Isak] for the first time today.

"We don’t think we have any big injuries from Wednesday night but we certainly have a few niggles. We are monitoring Anthony [Gordon]. He is still recovering from the really bad knock he got for England which still has a bit of bruising on his leg.

"He has done individual training, not group training, and is still not feeling 100% pain-free so we will have to wait and see.”

On Harvey Barnes, who joined the Magpies from the Foxes in the summer of 2023:

“Harvey has been chomping at the bit to play. He has been desperate to showcase what he can do, he brings unique things to the group and he is definitely a goal threat, having seven shots against Brentford from both sides of the pitch.

"I trust him a lot. He has a lot of great attributes. I have been really happy with how he has come into the team. He has been a consistent threat down the left-hand side.”

On Leicester, who have failed to score in their last seven league matches on home soil:

"They are not out of it and I think they will believe they have a chance. I always look at how teams play and Leicester have been very competitive.

"We know they are dangerous, we know they have good players. Jamie Vardy is still a massive threat and he bring his unique qualities that we are going to need to control. We are going to have to be on our guard. There are no easy games in this league."

On Trippier's recent involvement in the team:

"Kieran has been excellent in the last few games. If you look at his direct opponents, he's done a really good job on them.

"He's shown he can defend which, as a defender, the first port of call. His ability on the ball is unquestionable and we need to work better as a team to try and get him into the final third a little bit more because his crossing is second to none."