Newcastle Utd travel to the East midlands on Saturday to face Nottingham Forest in the televised 5:30pm game courtesy of Sky Sports.
And while Howe’s team are coming into the game after a relatively successful run of results the situation is slightly different for Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo whose side has won only two of their past 12 league matches, earning one point out of a possible nine in 2024.
However, they are looking to do the double over the Magpies having come away from their boxing Day visit to St James’ Park with all three points in a 3:1 win. Victory would see them achieve this feat for the first time since their 1977-78 title-winning season under the great Brian Clough.
But if history is an obstacle, then Forest will be aware that Newcastle are unbeaten in seven top-flight visits to the City Ground since a 2-1 defeat there in May 1987.
Also at stake is the fact that Newcastle Utd are vying to win four consecutive away matches in all competitions for the first time since November 2016 when they were in the Championship. They last managed it as a top-flight club in November 2003.
The big blight on Newcastle’s season to date has been injuries and that is no different this weekend, with Anthony Gordon ruled out with an ankle injury and Alexander Isak still struggling and unavailable due to a groin problem.
Joe Willock, Elliott Anderson, Matt Targett, Jamaal Lascelles remain unavailable along with Nick Pope, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali.
On a positive note, Callum Wilson suffered no adverse reaction from being thrust into the team following Gordon’s withdrawal at half time last weekend, has train all week and looks likely to be in the starting lineup when Howe names his team at 4:30pm on Saturday afternoon.
And another positive is that Harvey Barnes is also available for selection having been out since August with a foot injury. Speaking of Barnes, who scored after coming on last weekend against Luton Town, Howe said “He's worked incredibly hard. He's had a lot of frustration because he was working hard but was feeling sensations in his foot. What a finish that was. He only had a small part of the goal to aim for and he finished it brilliantly. That moment summed up what we've missed. We haven't had those options”.
Forest meanwhile will be without former magpie Chris Wood through injury and club captain Joe Worrall who has joined Besiktas on loan until the end of the season. International commitments rule out Ibrahim Sangare, Willy Boly (both Ivory Coast) and Ola Aina (Nigeria) as their relative countries face each other in the AFCON final on Sunday.
The big football talking point on tyneside this week has been whether Howe needs to make a tactical change and restore the speedier and more mobile Tino Livramento in place of Dan Burn in the left back berth. Opinions vary and Howe had this to say when questioned on the matter of Dan Burn’s position within the team by the media at his pre match press conference on Friday morning.
I understand it happens. Everyone has an opinion. Dan has been such a big player for us. He's pivotal to how we play in lots of different ways.
That's why he was such a big miss when we lost him to injury. He's also a huge leader in the group. A very big presence. He's been an incredible signing for me and much better than I could have hoped. He's still helping galvanise the group. I can't speak highly enough of him”.
Howe also praised Livramento saying: “He's an outstanding player. That's why I fought so hard to sign him. His best years are ahead of him. I'm the biggest fan of him. His primary position is RB and he's fighting with Kieran. But he will no doubt get his time and hopefully play a lot of games for this club.
I love him at left-back as well. I think he's done extremely well there. He's been incredible in that position”.
Match Referee is Anthony Taylor. His Assistants are Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn. Fourth official is Darren Bond. VAR is overseen this weekend by Tony Harrington and his assistant Darren Cann.
Enjoy the game
And while Howe’s team are coming into the game after a relatively successful run of results the situation is slightly different for Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo whose side has won only two of their past 12 league matches, earning one point out of a possible nine in 2024.
However, they are looking to do the double over the Magpies having come away from their boxing Day visit to St James’ Park with all three points in a 3:1 win. Victory would see them achieve this feat for the first time since their 1977-78 title-winning season under the great Brian Clough.
But if history is an obstacle, then Forest will be aware that Newcastle are unbeaten in seven top-flight visits to the City Ground since a 2-1 defeat there in May 1987.
Also at stake is the fact that Newcastle Utd are vying to win four consecutive away matches in all competitions for the first time since November 2016 when they were in the Championship. They last managed it as a top-flight club in November 2003.
The big blight on Newcastle’s season to date has been injuries and that is no different this weekend, with Anthony Gordon ruled out with an ankle injury and Alexander Isak still struggling and unavailable due to a groin problem.
Joe Willock, Elliott Anderson, Matt Targett, Jamaal Lascelles remain unavailable along with Nick Pope, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali.
On a positive note, Callum Wilson suffered no adverse reaction from being thrust into the team following Gordon’s withdrawal at half time last weekend, has train all week and looks likely to be in the starting lineup when Howe names his team at 4:30pm on Saturday afternoon.
And another positive is that Harvey Barnes is also available for selection having been out since August with a foot injury. Speaking of Barnes, who scored after coming on last weekend against Luton Town, Howe said “He's worked incredibly hard. He's had a lot of frustration because he was working hard but was feeling sensations in his foot. What a finish that was. He only had a small part of the goal to aim for and he finished it brilliantly. That moment summed up what we've missed. We haven't had those options”.
Forest meanwhile will be without former magpie Chris Wood through injury and club captain Joe Worrall who has joined Besiktas on loan until the end of the season. International commitments rule out Ibrahim Sangare, Willy Boly (both Ivory Coast) and Ola Aina (Nigeria) as their relative countries face each other in the AFCON final on Sunday.
The big football talking point on tyneside this week has been whether Howe needs to make a tactical change and restore the speedier and more mobile Tino Livramento in place of Dan Burn in the left back berth. Opinions vary and Howe had this to say when questioned on the matter of Dan Burn’s position within the team by the media at his pre match press conference on Friday morning.
I understand it happens. Everyone has an opinion. Dan has been such a big player for us. He's pivotal to how we play in lots of different ways.
That's why he was such a big miss when we lost him to injury. He's also a huge leader in the group. A very big presence. He's been an incredible signing for me and much better than I could have hoped. He's still helping galvanise the group. I can't speak highly enough of him”.
Howe also praised Livramento saying: “He's an outstanding player. That's why I fought so hard to sign him. His best years are ahead of him. I'm the biggest fan of him. His primary position is RB and he's fighting with Kieran. But he will no doubt get his time and hopefully play a lot of games for this club.
I love him at left-back as well. I think he's done extremely well there. He's been incredible in that position”.
Match Referee is Anthony Taylor. His Assistants are Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn. Fourth official is Darren Bond. VAR is overseen this weekend by Tony Harrington and his assistant Darren Cann.
Enjoy the game
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