Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has said one player has really impressed him in training ahead of their Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest.
Newcastle seeing out Premier League campaign with Forest next
The mood around Newcastle has lifted somewhat since their first league win in weeks.
A 3-1 victory over Brighton at St James’ Park last Saturday ended a run of five consecutive defeats in all competitions and gave Howe’s side a platform to close out the season with some dignity — and three points at Forest on Sunday afternoon would go a long way towards doing exactly that.
Forest arrive at this game with their minds reeling from Thursday night’s Europa League exit.
Vitor Pereira’s side were beaten 4-0 by Aston Villa in the second leg of their semi-final, losing 4-1 on aggregate — a devastating end to what had been one of the most unlikely European runs of the season.
The emotional hangover from that defeat will be real, and a distracted, depleted Forest side is perhaps the most favourable possible opponent Newcastle could have faced this weekend.
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Eddie Howe’s stay as freed up a chance for the Eagles.
Crucially for the visitors, Forest may also without several key players through injury — Morgan Gibbs-White, Murillo, Ola Aina and Dan Ndoye are all doubts to play Newcastle, potentially robbing Pereira of serious quality.
The Magpies have injury concerns of their own, but Howe could be boosted by Nick Woltemade‘s behind-the-scenes return to form.
Eddie Howe praises Nick Woltemade in Newcastle training
The German forward has contributed seven goals and three assists in the top flight this season, making him Newcastle’s joint-third top scorer.
However, Woltemade — central to recent reports that he is unhappy in the North East — has also been forced to accept more of a bit-part role in recent weeks behind the in-form William Osula.
He was absent from the starting line-up again last week, and Howe addressed that situation directly in his press conference ahead of today’s trip to Nottingham — while going out of his way to praise what he has seen from the 23-year-old in training.
“Nick’s fine,” the Newcastle head coach said.
“There’ll be a sense of disappointment because everyone wants to play. Nick’s been training well.
“Since we’ve returned to team training, I think it’s been good for him and a lot of the other new players. It’s really helped them have a greater understanding of what we want them to do. I’m very impressed by all of their attitudes.
“He’s committed, we really value him and want him to do well.”
Woltemade, who joined last summer, could be working his way back into contention for a starting berth based off these comments.
Newcastle sit 13th in the Premier League on 45 points with three games remaining, their season long since stripped of any meaningful ambition beyond finishing respectably.
Anthony Gordon leads the club’s scoring charts with 17 goals this season, though questions around his future this summer — amid interest from several European heavyweights and English rivals — continue to grow.
The final fortnight of the campaign offers Howe little more than the chance to give a few fringe players game time and end on a positive note.
A win at the City Ground, against a Forest side broken by European heartbreak and ravaged by injuries, would represent a decent way to start that process.
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The England winger has been among the standouts for Nuno’s side.