The young Magpies, who currently sit in 11th place of the 26-team division, take on their Foxes counterparts at Whitley Park, bidding to bounce back from Monday's 3-1 defeat against West Bromwich Albion.
The Irish centre-back, who joined the Magpies in the summer of 2023 following his departure from AC Milan, is determined to secure a top-16 spot at the end of the 2024/25 campaign which will ensure their passage into the play-offs.
Heffernan, a representative of Republic of Ireland at under-19 level, told newcastleunited.com: "The West Brom game hurt us a bit because we think we deserved more from the game. We played well in some parts so everybody is now looking forward to Leicester on Friday and hopefully we can put it right.
"If we can start against Leicester in the way we finished against West Brom, it will give us a bit of momentum to try and win the game.
"We want to finish the season strongly as high as in the league as possible. We have to take each game as it comes and our focus is the next game and seeing if we can pick up points to put ourselves in a good position because there's only seven league games left. We need to take every opportunity."
Heffernan has captained the young Magpies on numerous occasions this term and has welcomed the responsibility of wearing the captain's armband under Diarmuid O'Carroll's management.
With the likes of Alex Murphy, Travis Hernes and Charlie McArthur completing loan stints for the second half of the 2024/25 season, Heffernan also praised the players progressing from under-18 to under-21 level who will be required to play a key part in the remainder of the current campaign.
"Me and Diarmuid have a good relationship," he added. "He's always telling me I have to be a leader and I'm going to try and do the best I can. I wouldn't be in that position if it wasn't for him showing that belief and trust in me to be named captain.
"It's not just myself though. We have experienced players in the group and everybody knows the importance of stepping up if we are going to make the play-offs.
"It can be difficult when the squad is chopping and changing, with people going on loan or getting injured, but it's a credit to those in the under-18s group who have trained and played with us as they've shown why they should be with us.
"The squad is tight so everybody needs to step up and the younger lads have been very good. We need to keep going, sticking together as a team."
Admission for Newcastle United Under-21s' Premier League 2 clash against Leicester City is free for 2024/25 season ticket holders, otherwise it's £3 for adults and £1 concessions.
Please note that the game will not be streamed live on the Official Newcastle United App due to Brighton & Hove Albion's Premier League visit of Chelsea taking place on Friday night.
