Chris Wood reveals “lucky” truth behind Newcastle exit and Howe’s classy gesture

In-form striker Chris Wood has opened up on his short spell at St James’ Park and revealed that Eddie Howe wanted to keep him before reluctantly sanctioning a mid-season move to Nottingham Forest last year.

With five goals in his last four league games and eight in 10 for the season, only Man City’s Erling Haaland has outscored the Kiwi this term, helping Forest move up to third in the table ahead of our trip to Nottingham this Sunday.

The 32-year-old bagged just five goals in 39 games during his time on Tyneside, but has netted 24 goals in 52 appearances for Forest and discussed why Eddie Howe reluctantly sanctioned his move to the City Ground last January.

As Wood explains, Howe – who he had a “great relationship” with – was keen to keep him on at Newcastle and didn’t want to be left short in attack, but was allowed to leave for the sake of his career after slipping to third-choice in the pecking order behind Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson.

“I had a great relationship with the Newcastle supporters, Eddie Howe and the team, but I was looking like the third-choice,” Wood said when reflecting on his exit.

“I was very lucky that Eddie was understanding and appreciated my side of wanting to play, even though he didn’t want to let me go at the time because it might have left him a bit short. He was really good for me in the sense of saying, ‘I want you to continue your career and do well.’”

Wood left on an initial loan deal last January which included a £15m obligation to buy for Forest. It looks like a bargain on current form, but few on Tyneside complained at the time, with the New Zealand international barely getting a look in behind Isak and Wilson.

After bagging a hat-trick at St James’ Park last December, hopefully his run of goals comes to an end this Sunday ahead of our 2pm clash at the City Ground!