Newcastle handed hidden boost ahead of Saturday's trip to Nottingham Forest

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.