Chris Waugh has been speaking on Pod on the Tyne about Chris Wood’s availability for Newcastle United.
The Magpies still have just under a week until their next fixture given that they are no longer in the FA Cup, which could be a blessing in disguise as it gives Eddie Howe longer to integrate his new signings and get them up to speed with his demands and tactics.
Who should start for NUFC when fit?
Wood!
Wilson!
However, someone who could be missing is Chris Wood, as the £25m January signing saw his national side’s match called off recently because of a virus outbreak within New Zealand’s squad.
Waugh has relayed his information on Wood’s situation.
“There’s a big question mark, as things stand, over whether Chris Wood’s going to be back in time. We don’t know exactly what is happening yet. New Zealand’s match has been cancelled because there’s been a [virus] outbreak within the squad.
“There’s no information yet on who exactly has been affected by that and who wants to quarantine or not. So we’re unsure yet whether Chris Wood is going to be coming back – I’ve asked the club about it but haven’t had any further information beyond that.
“So if Chris Wood wasn’t to feature, then that could be a big blow for Newcastle.”
TIF Thoughts on Wood potentially being absent for Newcastle…
Wood is Newcastle’s third-most expensive signing, but after just two appearances, he could be set for time away from the pitch if he is forced to self-isolate due to the outbreak within the New Zealand squad, which would only compound the Magpies’ inability to bring in further attacking reinforcements in January.
If the 30-year-old was to be absent for the club’s next match against Everton on Tuesday evening, it may be a rare chance for Dwight Gayle to start, and while it would be his first of the campaign, it would certainly lower the Magpies’ chance of picking up three points given that Gayle has not found the back of the net since December 2020.
In other news: ‘He’s been told’ – Reporter reveals interesting ‘assurances’ Howe has given new signing at NUFC