Newcastle United take on Nottingham Forest in an important Premier League clash on Sunday.
The race for Champions League qualification is on and after a big setback against Manchester City a week prior, Newcastle United must bounce back on Sunday.
Sven Botman was missing from Newcastle training on Wednesday and his been missing since coming off injured in the Carabao Cup win against Arsenal in February. Botman only returned from a 10-month injury layoff in January but has been handed yet another injury blow.
There were further injury concerns ahead of the Man City defeat after Dan Burn came off injured against Birmingham City. The 32-year-old was still fit enough to feature in the defeat.
Newcastle were handed a boost when Callum Wilson and Harvey Barnes were spotted in training. The pair have had their fair share of injury setbacks throughout the season but now look to have put it behind them.
With Botman’s involvement in doubt, Eddie Howe has confirmed whether he will feature in a huge game.
Eddie Howe provides Sven Botman injury update
Unfortunately, it’s bad news as Howe has confirmed that Botman will not be available for the Nottingham Forest clash.
Furthermore, Howe has hinted that the 25-year-old may not even be available for the game against Liverpool on Wednesday or the FA Cup fifth-round tie against Brighton the week after.
Botman joined Newcastle for £35m in 2022 but has struggled with injuries in the last 12 months.
On Botman, Howe said: “Don’t think (Sven Botman will) be fit and available for this weekend. We’re going to have to see how things stand for next weekend.
“He’s making progress. He’s making good progress. Just not as quickly as we would have wanted.”
“He’s on track, just not quite ready.”
Eddie Howe gives Joelinton injury latest
Midfielder Joelinton has been missing since the end of January with a knee problem. However, recent reports have claimed that Joelinton should be fit for the Carabao Cup final in March.
Joe Willock took his place for the Man City game but youngster Lewis Miley is being tipped to start against Forest.
On Joelinton, Howe said: “Joe is doing really well, pushing as he always does, we just need to make sure we re-introduce him at the right time.”
While he was not able to play, Joelinton was seen in the stands against Arsenal wearing a retro Newcastle shirt and waving a scarf.
Newcastle will welcome former Newcastle players back to St James’ Park
Newcastle’s game against Nottingham Forest will be bittersweet for fans who will see two former Toon stars return to St James’ Park wearing red rather than black and white.
Elliot Anderson left Newcastle last summer to help the Magpies avoid a points deduction by breaching PSR rules. Anderson admitted he did not want to leave Newcastle after fully settling into the first team.
Newcastle will also welcome Chris Wood back to the ground after he left the North East in 2023. Wood has been sensational for Forest this season, scoring 18 goals in the Premier League, more than Alexander Isak.
Fans will hope that Wood does not repeat the remarkable hat-trick he scored against Newcastle last season. The duo will both be in line to feature in a return for their former stomping ground.
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