Newcastle United welcome newly-promoted Nottingham Forest to St James’ Park on Saturday, August 6, but Eddie Howe still doesn’t have a striker signed as the new season looms.
The Magpies boss has Callum Wilson, Joelinton and Chris Wood at his disposal, but Wilson has struggled with injuries, Joelinton has been used in midfield and Wood has struggled for goals, so Howe needs a prolific centre-forward without fitness problems.
But with no new striker on the horizon, Paddy Kenny has warned that Howe could be left short if Wilson picks up a knock. He told Football Insider: “It’s no secret that Newcastle need a striker. If Wilson gets injured they are left with Wood who scored twice for them last season. Everyone knows they are one Wilson injury away from losing a lot of attacking threat.”
Wilson has been Newcastle’s top scorer for the last two years, netting 12 goals with five assists from 26 league games in 2020/21 and bagging eight goals from 18 league games in 2021/22, so the Magpies miss him when he’s gone – he’s featured in only 44 of a possible 76 games since his 2020-move from Bournemouth.
Wood can’t be relied upon in his absence after scoring twice from 17 games while Joelinton only has four goals from 37 games in the last 12 months, so Howe could do with a trustworthy alternative.
In other news, reporter confirms Newcastle interest in ‘proven’ Jack Harrison
