Forest striker ‘has been outstanding’ says former boss Howe

Chris Wood has been labelled as ‘oustanding’ by his former manager Eddie Howe as the Nottingham Forest goal machine prepares to face Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.

Wood, 33, was signed by Howe to help keep Newcastle up in 2022 but scored just four Premier League goals in two seasons before being allowed to move to Forest.

He has flourished in the east midlands though, scoring 18 times already this season to help propel Forest to third place.

Two of the highest scoring forwards in this season 💪

Alexander Isak and Chris Wood meet in Gameweek 26 – but who are you backing for the biggest return? 👀

— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL)

Howe said: “I think he has been outstanding. Chris, when he came to us, helped us in a really difficult situation fighting relegation.

“We felt we need a focal point in that position. Somebody who could take a lot of pressure off of us as a team and give us a physical presence. I thought he did all of those things and was outstanding for the team.

“I probably under-estimated how much he affected our style and play. Then with Alex’s [Isak] return to fitness and Callum’s [Wilson] return he ended up moving on.

“I am delighted for him on a personal level because he is a great character, gave everything for us.”

Newcastle have lost three of their last four games but are only three points off the top four going into the weekend.

Howe wants to see a response from the disappointing defeat at Manchester City last weekend.

He said: “There are no certainties in football, that I can say with no doubt. But I think there is an understanding that we didn’t perform.

“There is an understanding of what we didn’t do well enough. We have certainly covered that with the players and we are expecting a big response.”