Eddie Howe’s side travel to the City Ground on the back of a hard-earned but deserved 2-1 win against Wolves, aiming to do the double against Forest following their 2-0 win on opening day.
However, Steve Cooper’s side have proven to be a tough nut to crack at home this season and will be a major test for Howe’s side.
Whilst Newcastle do have a few injury concerns to contend with ahead of Friday’s game, this is nothing compared to their hosts who have an injury crisis on their hands.
Here, we take a look at the latest injury news from both camps ahead of Friday’s game and the estimated return dates of all those impacted by injury.
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9. Scott McKenna
McKenna injured his hamstring last month and was ruled-out for an initial six-weeks. The defender is out of Friday’s game, but with an international break on the horizon, he could be back in action soon. Cooper said: “Scott is going to be out for six weeks”. Estimated return date = 01/04 v Wolves (h). Photo: Michael Regan
10. Dean Henderson
Henderson suffered a muscle injury in January, one that forced Forest to sign Keylor Navas in the dying hours of the window. The Manchester United loanee is slowly coming back to fitness, but won’t feature on Friday night. Speaking earlier this month, Cooper said: “Dean Henderson is still a few weeks away, he’s had another scan. He’s recovering and on course for what the injury is, but there’s still a show to say he’s not quite ready and he’s a few weeks away from the final stages of his rehabilitation. It’s unlikely he will train before the international break.” Estimated return date = 01/04 v Wolves (h). Photo: Catherine Ivill
11. Matty Longstaff
Whilst on-loan at Colchester United, Longstaff suffered a season-ending ACL injury. The midfielder is back at Newcastle and receiving treatment for the injury. Howe said: “It’s a very difficult time when your contract is coming up to get a potentially long-term injury is a real difficult one for him, but we’ll support him as a team, as a club, and make sure we fully nurse him back to full fitness.” Estimated return date = 2023/24 pre-season. Photo: Gualter Fatia
12. Chris Wood
Wood was ineligible to face his parent club on Friday night, however, the former Magpies man picked up an injury during their defeat to Spurs at the weekend, one that would likely have kept him out of action anyway. Cooper said: “Woody was just unfortunate. He goes on and in his first moment in the game, he gets a really bad knock to his thigh which really swells up instantly like you wouldn’t believe. He tried to carry on with his but it was just impossible.” Estimated return date = unknown. Photo: Catherine Ivill