United face the Foxes at the King Power Stadium (3pm kick-off) fresh from the 1-0 Carabao Cup win over Bournemouth on Tuesday night.

And head coach Howe has made just one alteration to his side from that contest at St. James' Park, with New Zealand frontman Wood coming in for number nine Wilson for the festive fixture against Brendan Rodgers' men - meaning Newcastle will field the same team which beat Chelsea 1-0 in their last league outing last month.

That means Nick Pope starts in goal behind what is now a settled back four, with Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schär, Sven Botman and Dan Burn all lining up in defence.

Bruno Guimarães, Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock will resume their midfield partnerships, with Joelinton and Miguel Almiron deployed out wide.

And former Leicester forward Wood will lead the line for the Magpies as they look to pick up where they left off in the Premier League following the World Cup break.

There are plenty of attacking options among the substitutes, with Allan Saint-Maximin, Ryan Fraser, Jacob Murphy and Elliot Anderson all named on the bench.

Karl Darlow, Javier Manquillo, Jamaal Lascelles, Matt Targett and Matt Ritchie provide defensive reinforcements for Howe's high-fliers.

Newcastle United: Nick Pope; Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schär, Sven Botman, Dan Burn; Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimarães, Joe Willock; Miguel Almirón, Chris Wood, Joelinton.

Substitutes: Karl Darlow, Javier Manquillo, Jamaal Lascelles, Matt Targett, Matt Ritchie, Elliot Anderson, Jacob Murphy, Ryan Fraser, Allan Saint-Maximin.