Leicester City have to be 'ready for the challenge' of facing a Newcastle United side who will want to satisfy their 'fanatical fanbase' on Friday.
That is the verdict of Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers who is wary of the Magpies' 'dangerous players', as well as their speed on the counter-attack ahead of their clash at the King Power Stadium on Friday.
Newcastle head to the East Midlands on the back of a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday that ended a recent four-match unbeaten run.
United remain nine points clear of the relegation zone with four matches remaining and avoiding defeat on Friday will move them within touching distance of securing their Premier League status for another season.
However, they take on a Leicester side who harbour realistic ambitions of qualifying for the Champions League for only the second time in their history.
The Foxes hold a five point gap over fifth placed West Ham and can cement their position in the top four with a win over Steve Bruce's Magpies.
Nonetheless, Rodgers is wary of a Newcastle side who have taken points off European rivals Tottenham, West Ham and Liverpool in recent weeks and insists his side must be up for the challenge.
“It’s a different type of game," Rodgers told Leicestershire Live.
"They’re good on the counter-attack. They have some dangerous players and they don’t just sit back. They have players with great speed.
"They’ve had some really good results and are organised. Hopefully it will be a tough game for Newcastle as well.
“Newcastle has a fanatical fanbase so every game is important, and they will want to win them. They have good players and good staff behind them. We have to be ready for that challenge.”
Rodgers also reserved praise for the job Bruce has done this season.
The Newcastle manager has come under fire this term for his side's performances - most notably in the aftermath of March's 3-0 defeat to Brighton.
In a poll conducted by Chronicle Live at the time, 95% of 14,000 Newcastle fans surveyed wanted the club to change manager and although there has been an upturn in form since then, fans remain less than satisfied with Bruce.
However, Rodgers believes he has done an 'outstanding job' and claims you 'can see the football idea' behind his side despite criticism that Newcastle have lacked an identity at times this season.
“I think Steve has done an outstanding job," Rodgers added.
"He’s limited in terms of the budget he has to spend on players but he has had to go in and organise. Newcastle is an incredible club, the fanbase, the expectation there.
"He has organised them really well. You can see the football idea. I think he’s done an outstanding job and he’s shown he’s an excellent manager.”
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