He was deemed a flop at Newcastle United but could now get the last laugh

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Newcastle United are gearing up to face Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

The Magpies are looking for a first win in three Premier League games following losses to Fulham and Manchester City which saw Newcastle drop down to seventh in the table.

Newcastle United are feeling the impact of losing two valuable squad players in the January transfer window. Miguel Almiron and Lloyd Kelly left Newcastle in moves that could determine whether they qualify for the Champions League at the end of the season.

Eddie Howe is without Sven Botman for the Forest clash – the 25-year-old is still struggling to recover from a knee injury he sustained in Newcastle’s win against Arsenal at the beginning of February.

A positive is that Callum Wilson and Harvey Barnes are available for the game. The pair have struggled with injury problems throughout the season but now look to be past the worst of their problems.

Newcastle are set to reunite with three former Toon stars, including one player who was deemed a flop for his time at the club.

Newcastle set for Matz Sels reunion against Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels is enjoying a fine season for the Midlands side. So far this campaign, the 32-year-old has kept 10 clean sheets in the Premier League.

Sels moved to Newcastle in 2016, being signed by Rafael Benitez for £6.5m. Unfortunately, things did not go well for the Belgian in his season on Tyneside, losing his place in Newcastle’s starting XI after nine games in the Championship after making a slew of errors which cost the Magpies vital points.

He joined Anderlecht on loan in 2017 then left Newcastle permanently for Strasbourg a year later. Sels admitted his Newcastle move was a ‘mistake‘ in a recent interview, citing the move abroad as the problem rather than the club.

Following five-and-a-half years at the French side, Sels signed for Nottingham Forest in 2024 and has been magnificent for them ever since. Since returning to England, Sels has played 42 games for Forest in all competitions, keeping 12 clean sheets.

Howe has had a big goalkeeping dilemma this season. Martin Dubravka nearly left Newcastle but was sensational in Nick Pope’s absence. The 36-year-old looks to have taken Pope’s place in the starting XI. The Magpies will look to sign a new shot-stopper in the summer transfer window with James Trafford a very likely option.

Matz Sels could get the last laugh against Newcastle

Forest are flying this season. Nuno Espirito Santo’s defensive approach to football has proven successful throughout the campaign and as a result, Forest finds themselves third in the Premier League and a big contender for Champions League football.

With Newcastle seventh, they have a lot to do if they want to play Champions League football next season. The likes of Bournemouth have overtaken Newcastle in the table amid their struggles.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
7	NewcastleNewcastle	25	12	5	8	42	33	9	41

On Sunday, Sels has a big chance to add to Newcastle’s woes by putting in a top-class performance at St James’ Park. Furthermore, Forest are still in pole position to qualify for Europe’s top competition – they could take the final place from Newcastle at the end of the season.

The Magpies will also welcome Elliot Anderson and Chris Wood back to St James’ Park. The former for the first time.

Although there are 13 games left in the Premier League season, this one feels like the most important game so far.