James Maddison is DROPPED for Leicester’s crunch visit to Newcastle

James Maddison has been dropped for Leicester’s most important game of the season against Newcastle tonight.

Leicester’s hopes of survival could be seriously damaged if they lose at St James’ Park, while a win would take them out of the relegation zone and into the final round of Premier League fixtures.

Foxes boss Dean Smith made the surprising decision to bench Maddison for his side’s journey north-east.

Maddison was a rare sparkle in Leicester’s troubled season, which saw the former Premier League champions dragged into a relegation battle.

Maddison (left) is joined on the couch by fellow striker Harvey Barnes (right)

The 26-year-old is joined by Leicester’s substitutes by fellow striker Harvey Barnes, another surprising omission.

Smith tried to explain his team change by stressing that Leicester needed more defensive solidity to deny Eddie Howe’s Newcastle goals in the match.

Smith told Sky Sports ahead of the game: “We’ve decided to change it, we need to be harder to beat.

“The last couple of games we had to score six and four to win them, so I thought we had to change something. We also have an impact that we can make from the bank.’

“It took me a long time to think about it, but watching their game against Brighton I felt we needed another centre-back,” he added.

‘I want her [Maddison and Barnes] to be disappointed if they don’t play, but I want them to see the bigger picture.”

“We try to create opportunities ourselves. The great thing is that before the weekend started, it was not in our hands, but at the moment,” he added.

Smith’s decision is a huge one given the club’s precarious position ahead of an attack on Newcastle looking to cement their place in the top four tonight.

Foxes boss Dean Smith (left) explained that his decision to drop Maddison was purely tactical

Maddison (left) was Leicester’s best player during a difficult season for the club

There are plenty of changes to the Premier League in the league’s battle for survival, with two relegation places still to be decided.

A win tonight would catapult them from 19th to 17th – and put pressure on Everton who they would be ahead on goal difference, while a draw would put them level with Leeds on 31 points.

Should the Magpies win, Leicester’s chances of remaining in England’s top flight are slim as they then have to beat West Ham at home on Sunday and hope Leeds lose to Tottenham Hotspur and Everton lose at home to Bournemouth.

Maddison has scored 10 goals and nine assists in all competitions this season

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher questioned Smith’s decision and labeled Maddison’s spot on the bench a ‘gamble’.

“It’s a gamble, but they’re at the stage where you need to change something. I admire the fact that he made a bold decision,” said Carragher.

‘He [Smith] owes these players nothing. When they go down, he won’t be there. Maddison won’t be there next season if they stay down or up.

“I would still try to find a place for Maddison [Youri] Tielemans, but he had to change something.’