Newcastle United fans will be delighted after ‘crucial’ sighting in training ahead of Nottingham Forest

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Newcastle United have a big game against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

The Magpies’ form has dipped in recent weeks and Eddie Howe will be keen to get his side back on track as they enter an incredibly important spell in the season.

Newcastle United sit seventh in the Premier League table following a humiliating 4-0 loss to Manchester City on Saturday. It leaves them teetering on the edge of missing out on European football for another season which could have an impact on whether the likes of Alexander Isak stay at the club for another year.

After missing the last two games through injury, Sven Botman was not seen in Newcastle’s training ahead of the game. Neither was Joelinton who is expected to return before the Carabao Cup final.

With a big game in regards to the Champions League race on the horizon, Keith Downie spotted something Newcastle fans are sure to love.

Callum Wilson and Harvey Barnes good spirits in Newcastle training

Newcastle’s recent struggles with first-team injuries have been widely reported in the last 18 months. Last season saw the Magpies without a slew of players who could have been difference-makers in their failure to qualify for Europe.

Callum Wilson has struggled massively with injuries in recent seasons. The 32-year-old has only just returned from his second setback of the season. Wilson scored in his first Newcastle start in almost a year against Birmingham City in the FA Cup and has been a part of the Magpies matchday squads in recent weeks.

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that Wilson could leave Newcastle in the summer. The England international is out of contract in the summer and is yet to come to an agreement with the Magpies over a new deal.

Harvey Barnes returned to Newcastle’s first-team squad for the Man City defeat but didn’t feature. The 27-year-old missed a month of action after suffering a muscle strain against Bromley. Like Wilson, Barnes could also leave Newcastle after reports claimed Howe was ready to cash in on him.

On his YouTube channel, Sky Sports News reporter Keith Downie highlighted that both Wilson and Barnes took part in full training ahead of the Forest clash and noted how positive they both looked.

“Both Callum Wilson and Harvey Barnes took part in full training,” he said.

“Both looked in a good, buoyant mood.

“They’ll be feeling good that they’re back at a crucial time in the season, and I think for Eddie Howe, he’ll be pleased he’s got competition for places in those positions.

“Perhaps some of those players who haven’t been turning it on may be looking over their shoulder a little bit at the likes of Barnes and Wilson coming in.”

The Forest clash is the first of three games in the space of seven days. Newcastle travel to Carabao Cup final opponents Liverpool on Wednesday before hosting Brighton in the FA Cup fifth round.

Newcastle must anticipate more injury concerns

Fans will be happy to see both Wilson and Barnes back in training ahead of a busy schedule. However, there is every chance that players within the first team will pick up knocks before the end of the season.

Newcastle have five games to play in the next month. While that does not seem like a lot, the quality of the squad now means that more players will be going off on international duty in March. So there is a chance some players could be playing as many as seven games in the next month.

Thomas Tuchel will select his first England squad in March and there is a chance several Newcastle players could be included in it.

Injuries are beginning to pile up, and Newcastle do not have enough depth to handle it. There is a chance players could start playing out of position. Thankfully, Howe can use several Newcastle players out of position including Lewis Hall, Matt Targett and even Anthony Gordon if need be.

With a crucial part of the season on the way, Newcastle staff must do everything in their power to keep Howe’s players fit.