90min
·3 August 2022
90min
·3 August 2022
Newcastle United host newly promoted Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon in a Premier League meeting dripping with nostalgia.
Eddie Howe's midseason appointment - coupled with the questionably sourced millions pumped in by the new owners - ensured Newcastle survived with ease last season.
There has been little plain sailing about the 23 years Forest have spent thrashing about outside England's top flight. Steve Cooper - who also joined during the campaign - was the man to end the club's interminable wait, navigating the playoffs after twice falling at that hurdle himself with Swansea City.
Here's everything you need to know about Saturday's blast from the past.
Location: Newcastle, EnglandStadium: St James' ParkKick-off Time: 15:00 BST / 10:00 EST / 07:00 PSTVAR: Lee MasonReferee: Simon Hooper
Newcastle: 2Nottingham Forest: 3 Draws: 0
Newcastle: WLLWWNottingham Forest: DWLDD
Howe heaped praise on Jonjo Shelvey upon his arrival in the north east last November but his feted midfield pivot pulled up with a hamstring injury during preseason, casting a shadow over his involvement against Forest.
Javier Manquillo (groin), Federico Fernandez (calf) and Jamal Lewis (calf) all nursed various ailments during the off-season but are expected to be available for selection this Saturday.
Newcastle Starting 11: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Targett; Willock, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Almiron, Wilson, Saint-MaximinBench: Dubravka, Burn, Lascelles, Longstaff, Anderson, Fraser, Murphy
Forest will be without Omar Richards after the former Bayern Munich full-back picked up an injury following his summer arrival. Cooper warned that it wasn't a minor knock but added 'it is not going to be months and months and months'.
Ryan Yates isn't expected to return until mid-August at the earliest following an issue sustained in preseason.
Striker Sam Surridge had surgery on his groin at the end of last season to negate a recurring issue. The 24-year-old has fully recovered and even scored against city rivals Notts County in a July friendly.
Nottingham Forest Starting 11: Henderson; Worrall, Niakhate, McKenna; Williams, Colback, O'Brien, Toffolo; Lingard; Johnson, AwoniyiBench: Hennessey, Cook, Mangala, Cafu, Lolley, Taylor, Surridge
Forest had to wait more than two decades to return to the Premier League. Yet, you have to wind all the way back to 1988 for the club's last league win at St. James' Park.
In fact, Newcastle have never played a side more often in the Premier League era without suffering defeat than their east Midlands counterparts (five wins, three draws).