Eddie Howe has admitted that Newcastle United will need to replace Jonjo Shelvey after the 'big character' left a 'hole' in the squad following his move to Nottingham Forest.
Shelvey will come up against his former side on Friday for the first time since completing his deadline day move to the City Ground back in January. Although Howe did not want to lose Shelvey in the mid-season window - the move was '99%' out of his hands - the Magpies boss ultimately respected the playmaker's wish to leave.
However, Shelvey's departure left Newcastle with only Bruno Guimaraes, Sean Longstaff, Joelinton, Joe Willock and youngster Elliot Anderson battling it out for three starting spots in the middle of the park. That is a situation that will have to be addressed this summer.
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"There's a hole in the squad left by his departure," Howe told reporters. "Jonjo is a big character, a big personality, with a lot of experience and that's certainly something we will need to replace at some stage.
"Ideally we would not have lost that from the squad in the first place, but these things happen. Our midfield is light, as I've said before, and there's a lot to be said for having Jonjo's experience, general game management and know-how within your squad."
Shelvey spoke 'from the heart' about that experience in an emotional farewell speech to the squad following Newcastle's Carabao Cup semi-final win against Southampton at St James' Park on a night Howe said he was 'devastated to lose him'. It was a night where Chris Wood also returned to say his goodbyes after the New Zealand international also joined Forest in the mid-season window.
Wood, unlike Shelvey, is ineligible to play at the City Ground on Friday - even if he had been fit - because the striker joined Forest on loan initially. However, Forest boss Steve Cooper has understandably still picked the brains of the pair ahead of the game. So could that inside knowledge help injury-ravaged Forest?
"I am not sure they will know what I am saying before the game in terms of my team talk!" Howe quipped. "It is always an interesting one when you go to a team that has players who know how you play, but your game is always evolving.
"Even since Jonjo and Chris have left, our game has evolved slightly in different ways. We have focused on different things so hopefully we can surprise them."
To think, a year ago, Shelvey and Wood were regular starters for Newcastle as the Magpies fought to stay up. Twelve months on, Newcastle are now battling for a place in Europe.
However, Newcastle would not even be in this situation if it was not for the contribution of players like Shelvey and Wood last season. As well as being leaders in the dressing room, the pair popped up with some crucial contributions. It was Shelvey's winner at Leeds which proved a turning point in last season's relegation fight, for example, while Wood led the line in the injured Callum Wilson's absence and stepped up with big goals against Southampton and Wolves.
"Both players were so highly-regarded by us players and staff," Howe added. "Jonjo and Chris played huge roles in keeping us in the league last year.
"In a really difficult moment for the football club, both players really stood up and excelled. That's not forgotten by me or anyone connected with the club. They both left with our best wishes and we were very thankful for the contribution they gave the club."
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