Leicester City's older heads will help young hopefuls in big clash

Steve Howard believes there will be no danger of Leicester City's young stars suffering from stage fright when they go in front of the live television cameras tonight against Newcastle United.

Many of the current City squad will have never experienced an atmosphere quite like the one that will greet them at the home of the title favourites.

But Howard, who is hoping to recover from a hamstring injury in time to face the club he supported as a boy growing up in the north east, is confident they will take it in their stride and perform on the big stage.

Even if a few of them do show signs of being overawed by the occasion, Howard promised the senior players would call on their experience to help their younger team-mates through. "This will be the biggest test of the season for us," said Howard, who used to be a season-ticket holder at Newcastle until his footballing career took off.

"We are a young side but we have lots of character and I am sure they will not be intimidated by a big ground and a big crowd.

"It will also be up to the more senior members of the squad to help them and make sure they don't get overawed by the occasion and the surroundings, but I am sure that will not be a problem."

Howard has been impressed with how promising young players such as Andy King, Matty Fryatt and Nicky Adams have coped since they broke into the City first team, and he credited manager Nigel Pearson for giving the players belief.

Howard says Pearson, who is returning to Newcastle for the first time since he left after stepping into the breach as caretaker manager following the sacking of Sam Allardyce, is one of the best coaches he has worked with and hailed his man-management abilities to get the best out of the players.

"The younger players are a really good set of lads and they are a confident bunch," said the 33-year-old. "I think a lot of that comes down to the manager, who gives them great belief.

"He is without doubt one of the best managers I have worked with and you just don't want to let him down. He gives the players so much confidence.

"We have started the season well. We have come out of League One and it is a big step up, but we have adapted well. We have played some good football as well and, if we continue that, we will be okay. I can't see why we can't go for the play-offs."