Wiggett focussed on Foxes trip

The young Magpies face their City counterparts at the LCFC Training Ground (kick-off 7pm GMT) bidding for a third win in a row across all competitions following a 1-0 triumph against Everton’s second-string last weekend along with a 5-0 victory against Newcastle Blue Star in the Northumberland Senior Cup first round.

Wiggett, who joined the Magpies’ youth set-up from Chelsea in the summer of 2021, is hopeful Newcastle’s youngsters can replicate a similar performance shown against the Toffees ahead of their trip to Loughborough.

The Reading-born defender, who celebrates his 21st birthday on Thursday, told nufc.co.uk: “We’re definitely looking forward to it. It was great to get three points and a clean sheet, showing great fight and perseverance to get through it which puts us in good spirits ahead of Friday’s game.

“It was a great feeling for the team as we had a few draws before beating Everton. The main thing has been turning those good performances into victories and bringing that winning spirit back into the squad to keep us pushing up the table and doing well in the league.

“Keeping a clean sheet is what you strive for every game as a defender as it’s one of the main things we work around each week and something, as a back four, we always want as it sets the team in good stead to try and win the game.

“Leicester will be a strong side and we know their strengths and weaknesses and what we can do to exploit that. We know he we play and if we stick to our game plan, I think we’ll be able to come away with a positive result and continue progressing up the table to make sure we get into the play-off positions."

Primarily a centre-back, Wiggett has featured at right-back on a number of occasions for United’s second-string this term, contributing with two assists in five Premier League 2 starts.

Passing a half-century of competitive outings for Newcastle’s under-21 side last month, Wiggett believes the role shifts across the United backline has only benefited him from both an offensive and defensive standpoint.

“I’m enjoying playing different positions,” Wiggett added. "The coaches let me know earlier this season that I’d be playing at centre-back and right-back which I feel is only a positive.

“It’s developing my game in different ways and lets me become a more versatile player, trying to get forward more and improving my one-versus-one defending as I may be more exposed when playing out wide. I can only take positives and it’s going well.

“Getting assists is something I try to bring into my game, too, and making sure I improve my offensive side as much as I can."