Islam Slimani trains with Newcastle team-mates for first time and could face Man Utd

Islam Slimani is back in full training with Newcastle and could make his debut live on Sky Sports

Islam Slimani has trained with his Newcastle team-mates for the first time and could make his debut as early as Sunday against Manchester United.

Leicester striker Slimani completed a loan move to St James' Park on Deadline Day but was not able to make his debut against Crystal Palace as he was struggling with a thigh injury.

But that problem, suffered in training with Leicester, has cleared up to the extent that Slimani was able to train fully at Darsley Park on Wednesday morning.

Slimani worked on his own over the weekend, with manager Rafa Benitez not rushing him back for the 1-1 draw with Palace.

Newcastle's players were off on Monday and Tuesday, meaning Wednesday was the first chance the Algeria striker had to train with his new team-mates.

Slimani has managed just one Premier League goal this season for the Foxes, which came against Huddersfield on New Year's Day when he made a rare start in the absence of an injured Jamie Vardy.

2:59 Crystal Palace 1-1 Newcastle Crystal Palace 1-1 Newcastle

His other three goals this season had come in Carabao Cup wins over Sheffield United, Liverpool and Leeds United.

Slimani has only started 15 Premier League games since joining Leicester in the summer of 2016, scoring a total of eight goals.