The Magpies travel to the King Power Stadium on Boxing Day looking to extend their fine run of league form which has seen them beaten only once so far this term - and that was back in August.

But head coach Howe believes his side will be in for a stern festive test at the hands of the Foxes, who have recovered well after a tricky start to the campaign.

Here are some of the main topics addressed by the United boss at Friday morning's media briefing...

On Brendan Rodgers' men and the threat posed by the Foxes...

"I think they're a top team with a top manager. That never changed, in my opinion, even though they had a difficult start to the season.

"The quality of Brendan's work I think always shines through in his teams, and if you look at their players, not a dramatic amount has changed from the team that excelled in previous years.

"We respect them immensely, I think they're a very good football team, and I think now the confidence has returned. They're a very dangerous opponent for us."

On the prospect of facing Leicester in January's Carabao Cup quarter-finals, too...

"I think I asked for a home draw and we got that. I'm really pleased to be at home.

"It's a tough game - I think whoever you get at this stage of the competition, you know it's going to be an elite game. We're looking forward to it."

On the fitness of frontman Alexander Isak...

"He's doing well. We're pleased with him. Is he going to make the next couple of Premier League games? At this moment in time, I'm not sure. Probably not.

"But he's going in the right direction and we hope in the busy January period that we've got coming up that he can play a big part in that."

On the traditionally hectic festive fixture schedule...

"I think as a player, I loved it - I loved the festive games, I loved the atmosphere. They always had a different feeling about them than the normal programme.

"As a manager, I think your focus is different - you're not experiencing necessarily those emotions. You're feeling the preparation, the short turnaround, you're worried about fatigue with your group.

"But I have no issue with it. I think it's part of what makes the Premier League and English football special. My only thought would be that we don't want games too close together, where the players can't then execute their best performances in the next game."

On the return to fitness of midfielder Jonjo Shelvey...

"Jonjo is a key component of our squad. He's got that experience, but he's also got a fierce drive and determination to play, and he's got unique skills that we need in the team. I'm delighted to get him back."

On his message to his players ahead of the Boxing Day clash...

"I think we've got to find our attacking intent. I think what we did so well in the first part of the season is we didn't go into any game with any backward steps - it was all forward steps and trying to be very positive. That's not a given, that doesn't just happen.

"I think you have to go onto the pitch feeling good about yourself, feeling confident to execute that, so I think that's the key component we need."