"He's looked really good" - Howe reveals duo who've trained brilliantly during 16-day break

Eddie Howe has revealed that both Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin have shown "good form" in their warm-weather training camp in Dubai.

Prior to the international break, Wilson played no part at Forest after illness limited his training time, while a subdued Saint-Maximin was forced off at half time with a tight hamstring.

However, it seems both have made real use of the time off and shown "very positive" signs in training, handing us another timely boost ahead of Sunday's crucial clash with Man Utd.

Howe says Wilson has "trained really hard" and "looked really good" during sessions, believing our out of form No.9 can really benefit from after looking noticeably jaded since the turn of the year.

Speaking to the press this morning, here's what Howe had to say about both:

“Callum’s trained, Maxi’s trained. They’re both in good form, very positive.

“I’ve seen Callum really use the break wisely.

"He rested initially and then trained and he’s trained really hard and looked really good.

“He really needed a period of training and it’s really difficult to do that amongst games because obviously I need players fresh to play so obviously you can’t work them in the way you want them.

"There’s a lot of recovery and focus on the next game, but we had a 16-day period which I think Callum has utilised. Hopefully we can get him back to his best.”

Alexander Isak looks set to keep his place this weekend, but it's great to hear Wilson has had a productive break on the training ground.

The same applies to ASM, who will be pushing for another start after shaking off any hamstring concerns. He was our biggest threat in that cup final defeat to Man Utd last month and will be hoping to light up St James' Park on Sunday; providing Howe picks him ahead of the returning Joelinton.