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Having faced former players Matz Sels and Chris Wood last season – the latter scored a hat-trick in a 3-1 win at St James’ Park on Boxing Day – this will be the first time they witness academy graduate Elliot Anderson in opposition colours.
The Whitley Bay-born midfielder first joined the Magpies aged eight, progressing through the youth ranks before going to make 55 senior appearances after making his debut in January 2021.
Anderson will have undoubtedly been part of Eddie Howe’s first-team plans this campaign, however the club reluctantly sanctioned his exit to help comply with Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Newcastle sold the 21-year-old for £35m – a joint club-record sale alongside Andy Carroll’s move to Liverpool 13 years ago – and signed Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos in a return for an undisclosed fee as Forest also addressed their PSR situation.
Anderson made his first start for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side in Saturday’s win at Southampton, a game Howe watched in preparation for the cup tie. The United boss praised Anderson’s performances but admitted it was “tinged with sadness”.
Howe said: “Watching their game in preparation for this… it was good to see Elliot play so well against Southampton, I thought he was excellent and really contributed to their winning performance in midfield, showed his versatility and thought he did really well.
“But it was tinged with sadness for me because we’ve lost an outstanding player and person from the group. We wish him well but, of course, we’ll be competing against him in this game.”
Howe is fully aware of the threat Anderson – and Nottingham Forest – will pose.
“A big challenge. They’ve started the season well, and from the games we’ve watched, deservedly got the points that they have. I think we’ve seen a slow evolution under Nuno, a very effective counter-attacking style with a lot of pace and physicality in their team so I think we’re prepared for another difficult game, it always is at the City Ground.
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