Eddie Howe paid tribute to the in-form Chris Wooden forward of reuniting with the previous Newcastle United ahead after they face Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Howe’s Newcastle are at present seventh within the Premier League desk, trailing the highest 4 by three factors, and may go to inside some extent of third-placed Forest with victory at St James’ Park.
The Magpies offered Wooden to Forest two years in the past with first-team alternatives having change into restricted for the New Zealander, having joined the earlier yr.
Nevertheless, he has flourished on the Metropolis Floor, and sits third within the Premier League’s Golden Boot standings with 18 objectives this season.
“I believe he has been excellent,” Howe stated. “Chris, when he got here to us, helped us in a very troublesome state of affairs combating relegation.
“We felt we would have liked a focus in that place, any individual who may take numerous strain off of us as a crew and provides us a bodily presence. I believed he did all of these issues and was excellent for the crew.
“I’m delighted for him on a private stage as a result of he is a superb character, and gave all the things for us.”
Howe additionally stated defender Sven Botman is “not fairly prepared” to characteristic on this recreation.
The Swede has made simply 5 first-team appearances this season, with solely three coming within the Premier League. His final look got here at the beginning of the month, in Newcastle’s 2-0 victory over Arsenal within the EFL Cup semi-final second leg.
“I don’t suppose he shall be match and out there for this weekend,” Howe added. “We’re going to should see how issues stand over the weekend for subsequent week.
“He’s making progress, however simply not as rapidly as we needed him to. He’s very a lot on observe, simply not fairly prepared.”
Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo, in the meantime, is looking for enhancements from his crew, following a 2-1 defeat away to Fulham final day trip.
Regardless of being third within the Premier League, Forest come into this match with simply two victories from their final 5 video games within the division, and there have been ideas their type has began to say no.
“We have now to compete higher. That’s what we shall be making an attempt to do,” Nuno stated. “We’re reaching the second of the season the place everybody shall be combating for their very own goals.
“We have now competed nicely and that is what we anticipate within the ultimate stage of the season. The video games shall be tougher, and we’ve to cope with all the things that’s throughout – the expectations, our personal beliefs and moments of the gamers.
“I don’t change my method. We have now to maintain the identical routine and method it daily – take a look at all the small print which allow us to compete nicely. That is what we’re targeted on.”
Again to SJP!
#NEWFOR pic.twitter.com/PFmzhTfPga
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) February 19, 2025
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Newcastle United – Alexander Isak
Though he has gone two Premier League video games with out a objective, Newcastle ahead Isak has scored in all three of his appearances in opposition to Forest (4 objectives).
5 Newcastle gamers have scored in 4 successive matches in opposition to a single opponent, most just lately Callum Wilson in opposition to Tottenham between 2020 and 2023.
Isak has scored 19 objectives in all competitions, together with 17 within the Premier League – the fourth-most within the division.
Nottingham Forest – Chris Wooden
Wooden has scored 29 Premier League objectives in 41 appearances beneath Nuno for Forest, together with eight in his final seven.
Amongst all gamers to have 50 or extra photographs whereas taking part in for a supervisor on report since 2003-04, Wooden beneath Nuno has the very best shot conversion fee (35%, 29 objectives from 83 photographs).
MATCH PREDICTION: NEWCASTLE WIN
Newcastle have misplaced simply certainly one of their 13 Premier League conferences with Forest (gained 9, drawn three), although that defeat did come on this precise fixture final season (3-1).
Forest have misplaced their final two away video games within the league and are aiming to keep away from shedding a 3rd on the bounce for the primary time since December 2023.
Newcastle come into this match having gained 12 of their final 15 video games in all competitions, together with seven out of 10 within the Premier League.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Newcastle United – 51.4%
Draw – 23.3%
Nottingham Forest – 25.4%