Nev Foulger column: Leicester City should relish playing on big stage

For one night only, Leicester City are high profile again and back in the glare of the spotlight. The Blue Army will lap it up.

Since being relegated from the Premier League five years ago, City have slipped under the radar in terms of national attention.

Not tonight! The game against Newcastle United in front of a big crowd at St James' Park and live on Sky TV is certain to capture the interest and imagination of a much wider audience than your usual Championship fixture.

Much of that is due to the turmoil currently engulfing the fallen Geordie giants. Every twist and turn in the Tyneside soap-opera makes headline news throughout the country.

Will owner Mike Ashley find a buyer for the club? Will Alan Shearer return as manager? And can the relegated Magpies secure an instant return to the Premier League?

They are just a few of the questions giving the Newcastle faithful sleepless nights. Who would have thought it could come to this at such a massive club as Newcastle?

For all that, the fans will still pack out the place tonight as caretaker manager Chris Hughton tries to extend his side's encouraging start to the season. Three wins and a draw from the first four games have put Newcastle among the early pacemakers. But last Wednesday night, with home advantage, they only just edged out League One side, Huddersfield, 4-3 in a Carling Cup tie.

That will certainly raise the Blue Army's hopes. To echo the words of former Tyneside legend, Kevin Keegan, they would "love it, just love it," if City could return home with all three points.

Despite Newcastle's problems, on and off the field, this match still represents by far the biggest test City have faced this season – indeed, for some considerable time. But they should revel in it.

It is a chance for the Foxes to show their Premier League ambitions in front of a countrywide armchair audience. The challenge should not worry or frighten them – it should excite, inspire and motivate.

While it was fun trawling around League One outposts last season, trips to magnificent grounds like St James' Park are what it is all about. Yes, it can be intimidating, especially if the Newcastle fans really get behind their side.

But in City's favour is the fact that all the pressure tonight is on Newcastle. They will be scrutinised and analysed from every conceivable angle before the start, and then put under the microscope during the game. And they will be expected to win – by their own fans and many of the pundits.

If City play it right, they can turn all that to their own advantage.

Sound and solid defensive play is the key and, so far, City have not been found wanting in that respect. And, in Richie Wellens and Matt Oakley, they have the players with the ability to control midfield.

It is a mouth-watering Bank Holiday fixture.

Hopefully, it will turn out to be a classic.