Eddie Howe has given a hint regarding team news ahead of the Magpies ’ visit to Nottingham Forest on Wednesday evening. Speaking in a press conference the former Bournemouth boss confirmed Sandro Tonali will ‘definitely’ be in the squad for the trip to the City Ground . This could be the Italian’s first appearance for Newcastle in 10 months after serving a ban related to betting rules. Howe also made his intentions clear; he is treating the Carabao Cup as an opportunity to break the Magpies’ trophy duck; they last lifted silverware winning the FA Cup in 1955. Despite coming close; finishing as runners-up in 2023, a trophy still eludes the Northeast outfit.
Eddie Howe said “We will try and play a really strong team – we want to progress. We will make changes as well at the same time, because we have a squad that I think enables me to do so, while not weakening the quality – we saw the strength of our bench on Sunday, which made a huge difference.”
The Newcastle boss also commented on Forest and the challenge they pose,
Eddie Howe added “Big challenge, they have started the season well, they have deserved the points they have got. I think you have seen a slow evolution under Nuno ; a very effective counter-attacking style with a lot of pace in their team and good physicality in their team.”
Reds fans can take confidence from the fact they knocked Newcastle out of the League Cup at the same stage (second round) in August 2018; late strikes from Matty Cash and Gil Dias secured victory on that occasion. However, Newcastle have edged the most recent Premier League fixtures at the City Ground; winning in their last two trips to Forest – 2-3 last February and 1-2 in March 2023.
