While Eddie Howe can spend the week preparing for Saturday’s trip to Nottingham Forest, Nuno Espírito Santo’s side have an FA Cup replay to think about and a host of key players absent.
After a 0-0 draw at Bristol City last month, the Reds play the Robins on Wednesday night – just a few days before our trip to the City Ground – and will also be without top scorer Chris Wood.
The former Newcastle United striker was their hat-trick hero in their 3-1 win at St James’ Park on Boxing Day, but faces up to eight weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
Forest are likely to without club record signing Ibrahim Sangare, who is still away at the African Cup of nations along with centre-back Willy Boly and full-back Ola Aina after the Ivory Coast and Nigeria progressed to the semi-finals.
As for Newcastle, Anthony Gordon is no longer in a protective boot after he was spotted in a picture with a fan following a trip to the Metro Centre on Sunday. It’s said he was still using crutches to take pressure off his ‘twisted ankle’, but this offers hope his injury isn’t serious.
