Eddie Howe praises Chris Wood ahead of Newcastle vs Nottingham Forest clash

Ahead of the upcoming match between Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United, manager Eddie Howe expressed optimism for a strong response from his team following their recent 4-0 defeat to Manchester City. He praised former Newcastle striker Chris Wood, who has excelled at Forest, scoring 18 goals this season, and acknowledged Wood's significant contribution during his time at Newcastle. Howe emphasized the need for Newcastle to regain their attacking identity and highlighted the importance of leadership within the team. He also provided updates on injured players, indicating that defender Sven Botman is unlikely to play, while midfielder Joelinton is recovering well. The match holds significance as Newcastle aims to close the gap on Forest, who currently sit in third place in the Premier League. Howe's comments reflect a desire for improvement and a return to form as they face a well-performing Forest side.