By Russell Edge

8th Dec, 2017 | 2:27pm

Benitez hands Newcastle crucial double boost for Leicester clash, senior star ruled out

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has handed the club a major boost after revealing that both Jamaal Lascelles and Christian Atsu would be available for the club’s clash with Leicester City on Saturday.

The first team duo were crucial members of the senior squad before their layoffs, both appearing in every one of the club’s league fixtures before picking up injuries in the 1-0 home defeat against Bournemouth.

Both the centre back and winger have been missing over the last four games for the Magpies, which has seen Benitez’s men go on an abysmal run of form, picking up just one point from the last six matches, so their return to fitness will prove a massive boost.

However it was confirmed that the clash against the Foxes would come too soon for defensive star Paul Dummett, who has been ruled out of action since the opening game of the season, and that the Welsh left back would be building his fitness playing for the under-23 side.

Benitez was quoted by The Chronicle’s Chris Waugh on his personal Twitter account as saying: “Lascelles & Atsu are available. Dummett will play with the U23s to improve his match fitness.

“It is important for players to be coming back to increase competition”

Newcastle come into the clash at St James’ Park off the back of a 3-1 defeat to Chelsea, while Leicester saw off Burnley 1-0 at the King Power Stadium in their last outing.

In other Newcastle United news, this attacker has confirmed he does not know what will happen over the January window as he looks to secure a deal with another club.