Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy accepted that his side's performance in their 3-0 home defeat to Newcastle United on Monday worried him.

The hosts were three goals down as early as the 34th minute and the defeat leaves them second-bottom in the table, 15 points from safety with just 21 to play for.

The defeat was also Leicester's ninth straight loss in all competitions and, judging by Van Nistelrooy's comments, there is a sense that he is struggling to see an endpoint to their shocking run of form.

"Very difficult especially after 33 minutes, we lost another game starting with the best intentions. We lost another early goal. It's very disappointing and worrying," he said.

"It's a big challenge. We all know the run of form we're in. It's extremely difficult. Especially if there aren't light points to build on.

"The most difficult thing is we are in a place for such a long time and there are no results. The most important thing is the club and to bring it forward. That's the worrying part.” 

One positive from a Leicester perspective was the emergence of 15-year-old Jeremy Monga, who became the second-youngest Premier League player in history and wore a blank shirt owing to their cryptocurrency gaming sponsor.

Monga came off the bench in the 74th minute and, at 15 years and 271 days old, now only Ethan Nwaneri has made his debut in the league at a younger age.

"You could see glimpses of his great qualities. He's a great winger and has speed. He's a fantastic talent, a great boy. He deserved these minutes and hopefully, more to come," said Van Nistelrooy.

"It's clear and we've been saying that. We want to show what we're about and show our qualities but we aren't able to.

"I want the club to do well. The club is first and that is something to consider. It is hard because I came to the club to help it forward but it is clear there haven't been enough results to get points on the board and that's not good enough."