Eddie Howe was ‘very impressed’ with the Newcastle star in training ahead of Nottingham Forest
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe said one player really impressed him in training ahead of their Premier League game against Nottingham Forest.
Newcastle sees a Premier League campaign with Forest next
Newcastle’s form has grown since they won the league for the first time in weeks.
Brighton’s 3-1 win at St James’ Park last Saturday ended a five-game losing streak in all competitions and gave Howe’s side the platform to end the season with some dignity – and three points at Forest on Sunday afternoon will go a long way towards doing just that.
Forest come into this match with their minds confused from Thursday night’s exit from the Europa League.
Vitor Pereira’s side were hammered 4-0 by Aston Villa in the second leg of the semi-finals, losing 4-1 on aggregate – a poor end to what has been one of Europe’s most improbable runs this season.
The emotional toll from that defeat will be real, and a distracted, depleted Forest side are perhaps the best opponents Newcastle are likely to face this weekend.
The manager was eyeing the Newcastle job but could now join Crystal Palace after talks
Eddie Howe’s stay opened up an opportunity for the Eagles.
Most importantly for the visitors, Forest could also be without a number of key players through injury – Morgan Gibbs-White, Murillo, Ola Aina and Dan Ndoye are all doubtful for Newcastle, potentially robbing Pereira of a critical role.
The Magpies have injury concerns of their own, but Howe could be boosted by the return of Nick Woltemade behind the scenes.
Eddie Howe praises Nick Woltemade in coaching at Newcastle
The German striker has scored seven goals and provided three assists in the top flight this season, making him Newcastle’s top goalscorer.
However, Woltemade – who is amid recent reports that he is unhappy in the North East – has been forced to accept a bigger role in recent weeks after William Osula.
He was also absent from the starting line-up last week, and Howe addressed the situation directly in his press conference ahead of today’s trip to Nottingham – while doing his best to praise what he saw of the 23-year-old in training.
“Nick went well,” the Newcastle boss said.
“There will be a sense of disappointment because everyone wants to play. Nick has been training well.
“Since we have returned to team training, I think it has been good for him and a lot of other young players. It has helped them a lot to understand more about what we want them to do. I am very impressed with the way they think.
“He is committed, we value him and we want him to do well.”
Woltemade, who joined last summer, may be returning to contention for the starting spot based on these comments.
Newcastle sit in 13th place in the Premier League with 45 points with three games remaining, their long season bereft of any meaningful ambition beyond a respectable finish.
Anthony Gordon leads the club’s goalscoring charts with 17 goals this season, although questions over his future this summer – amid interest from several European heavyweights and English rivals – continue to grow.
The final two days of the campaign give Howe a bit of a chance to give a few young players game time and he’s on a positive note.
A win at the City Ground, against a Forest side ravaged by European woes and ravaged by injuries, would represent a decent way to start that process.
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