Newcastle clash gives Leicester City taste of big time – Michael Morrison

Michael Morrison sees Leicester City's Championship cruncher at Newcastle tonight as a glimpse of things to come for both clubs.

He expects Newcastle to make a strong case for an immediate return to the top flight with City, hopefully, not far behind.

The 21-year-old defender said: "Going to St James' does give you a little carrot for the Premier League with the standard of their stadium and their supporters.

"They are the big fish in the Championship, just like we were last season in League One. They have had a good start, which was surprising after their pre-season, and they look a bit more stable now."

And Morrison has re-iterated assistant boss Craig Shakespeare's assertion that City are going there to win – not to defend for a point.

He said: "It's a difficult place to go but we'll be trying to win the game. We've got lots of pace in the team and that works to our benefit. We may have to soak up some pressure but we are a good, solid defensive team and we counter-attack well."

Morrison is likely to be on the bench because Hobbs and Wayne Brown have nailed down the two centre-half berths in the team.

But manager Nigel Pearson said the squad system is crucial to City's hopes of doing well this season and that each member will play their part.

"I have to be patient but, looking at the bigger picture, we've got to be pleased with the start and now we have to keep it going," said Morrison.

"We've had two difficult away games at Ipswich and at Sheffield United and taken a point in each one. We would have definitely taken that before the season got under way. We've also won our home games convincingly."