'It didn't work out perfectly': Chris Wood has reflected on his time at Newcastle United ahead of SJP return

Nottingham Forest head to St James' Park on Sunday, and with them, they will bring three former Newcastle United players, one of which played a huge part in Eddie Howe's miracle.

When Eddie Howe joined Newcastle United shortly after the PIF-backed takeover, the Magpies were favourites to be relegated, but a new attitude, a new direction, and actually making players train, along with a hefty investment in the January transfer window, saw Newcastle rise up the table, ultimately finishing 11th.

One masterstroke in that January transfer window was to sign Burnley's Chris Wood for £25 million. Not only did the Kiwi give us an extra option up front, but we weakened a relegation rival.

Chris Wood, who did score some big goals for Newcastle, never really wowed and was ultimately packed off to Nottingham Forest where he is really come into his own.

Chris Wood spoke highly of Newcastle United to Sky Sports

Sunday won't be the first time Wood has returned to St James' Park after he scored a hat-trick against his old side last season, and now the 33-year-old has spoken to Sky Sports about his time on Tyneside.

“I could see the project that Newcastle were trying to build.

“It was an opportunity to elevate my game and potentially take me to the next step if I went in there and scored goals and done well.

“It didn’t work out perfectly, but it worked out well. We stayed up, done extremely well and then we got Champions League the next year.

“I’m happy to be a part of that and the rebuild of Newcastle, and where they have gone on to is fantastic."

Nottingham Forest are likely to field three former Magpies

Wood won't be the only former Magpie returning to Tyneside. This time, he'll have former Toon 'keeper Matz Sels and the Geordie Maradona Elliot Anderson with him, who is making his first return to St James' Park since leaving in the summer.

Newcastle have beaten Forest twice this season already and will be hoping for a third victory. Keeping Chris Wood quiet will be key to that, as will keeping the ball away from twinkle toes Elliot Anderson.

Both sides are fighting for a Champions League spot, and with three former Magpies in the Forest team, there's a lot going on to make this one an interesting affair. Kick-off is at 2pm on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.