Newcastle United are sweating over the fitness of Christian Atsu ahead of tonight’s League Cup encounter with Leicester City at St. James' Park.

The Ghanaian international who only returned to action in Sunday's Premier League win over Tottenham Hotspur may have to sit out the midweek tie as a precautionary measure for a "non-serious muscle" problem.

"I've got players which have a few knocks and bruises. Joelinton has played when he was sore with a groin so he is a bit of a doubt. [Miguel] Almiron (ankle), [Fabian] Schar (knock), Jamaal [Lascelles] (calf), and [Christian] Atsu (muscle) are all doubts," Newcastle boss Steve Bruce said in his team news on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday's game, as reported by his club's official website.