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26 Dec 2023
Premier League

Nuno Espirito Santo has made six changes for his second game in charge of Nottingham Forest — but has kept faith with goalkeeper Matt Turner for today's clash at Newcastle.

Forest's new head coach has shuffled his pack in the north east, changing both his full-backs and both deeper-lying midfielders. Nuno has however retained USMNT keeper Turner in goal. Forest were beaten 3-2 by Bournemouth in Nuno’s first game in charge and, while Turner was not guilty of any glaring errors, he was already under the spotlight following a bad mistake in what proved to be Steve Cooper’s final game in charge, against Tottenham.

In the aftermath of the defeat to Bournemouth, Nuno hinted that he might restore Greek international Odi Vlachodimos as goalkeeper. “I would love to be able to tell you that Turner will be our goalkeeper but, in this moment, it is about performance. Any decisions we make will be based on performance and everybody has to improve,” Nuno said.

But while Turner gets another opportunity at St. James’ Park, Gonzalo Montiel and Ola Aina have been restored to the back four, where Moussa Niakhate also comes in for the suspended Willy Boly.

Ibrahim Sangare and Danilo will make up a new midfield pairing and Callum Hudson-Odoi will operate in the supporting three, within a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Club captain Joe Worrall, who had been sidelined following a disagreement with Cooper, is also back on the bench for the first time. His last appearance was in late October, when he came off the bench against Luton Town.

Nottingham Forest XI: Turner; Montiel, Niakhaté, Murillo, Aina; Sangaré, Danilo; Hudson-Odoi, Gibbs-White (c), Elanga; Wood

Nottingham Forest subs: Vlachodimos, Tavares, Worrall, Mangala, Williams, Kouyaté, Domínguez, Yates, Origi

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