Leicester still up for Premier League survival fight - Van Nistelrooy
The Foxes face Newcastle on Monday
Ruud van Nistelrooy has insisted his Leicester side will not throw in the towel even if their relegation is confirmed before the final match of the Premier League season.
The Foxes are in a bleak position, having failed to find the back of the net once during a seven-match losing sequence that has left them 19th in the table and a dozen points adrift of safety.
With just eight games remaining, Leicester are running out of road to turn their fortunes around but Van Nistelrooy, speaking ahead of Monday's clash against Newcastle, says his side will not give up.
"Mathematically it's not over, we have the obligation to keep going but also when it's mathematically over, we still have the obligation to keep going - we're not going to stop," Van Nistelrooy said.
"We want to defend the club, the badge and our own personal pride to show we're capable of getting results in this league and do better than we're doing.
"It's something I feel I want to go through with this squad, stay together and connected with them, fight ourselves through this and give energy every day to get ourselves out of this.
"It's not something I feel I want to run away from, I want to fight for this with the squad and that's every day. Monday's game is another opportunity for us."
Van Nistelrooy has no fresh injury concerns after Wednesday's 2-0 defeat at Manchester City, where they had the wind knocked out of their sails after going behind to Jack Grealish's second-minute strike.
Ricardo Pereira returned from a hamstring injury at the Etihad Stadium, playing the final quarter of an hour, but the Portuguese full-back will not be considered for a starting berth against the Magpies.
"He's definitely someone we're very happy is available and can make an impact on Monday, but as a starter it's quite early," Van Nistelrooy added.
When asked about reports Jamie Vardy could extend his current contract into next season, Van Nistelrooy's said the club will respect whatever decision the 38 year old striker makes.
It's understood the 38-year-old former England international has no plans to retire.