Newcastle United handed striker boost ahead of Everton amid Covid-19 fears

Newcastle United striker Chris Wood was on international duty with the New Zealand national team when the Covid-19 outbreak hit.
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Chris Wood should be available for Newcastle United’s upcoming fixture against Everton, despite a Covid-19 outbreak in the New Zealand camp.

The 30-year-old linked up with the All Whites on international duty and scored in their 3-1 defeat to Jordan on Friday.

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Wood was due to play again on Tuesday against Uzbekistan, however the friendly was postponed due to a “number of” positive Covid-19 results.

There were fears Wood would be directly impacted and as a result, miss the Magpies’ next Premier League match at home to Everton.

Promising news on Chris Wood

However, as per the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope, the striker is travelling back to the United Kingdom and should be fine to feature at St James’ Park.

The news surrounding Wood and New Zealand broke less than 24 hours after Newcastle fell short in efforts to sign another attacker on transfer deadline day.

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Reims wonderkid Hugo Ekitike turned down a move to Tyneside due to concerns over to the club’s league position.

Jesse Lingard wanted to join on loan, though Manchester United refused to let him go, despite having just five months left on his contract.

Had Wood, a £25million January signing from Burnley, become unavailable, it would have left Dwight Gayle as the club’s only recognised striker with Callum Wilson sidelined until March.

Bruno Guimaraes’ expected late arrival

Meanwhile, NewcastleWorld understands marquee signing Bruno Guimaraes is unlikely to arrive in the North East until Saturday.

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The midfielder has been on international duty with Brazil, where he claimed an assist in their 4-0 win over Miguel Almiron’s Paraguay on Wednesday.

He’s set to meet his Magpies teammates for the first time since his £33.5m switch from Lyon but won’t have too long to prepare for the visit of Everton.

Depending on what time Guimaraes lands on Saturday, the 24-year-old would only have then, Sunday and Monday to train and bed into Eddie Howe’s squad.

That could impact Howe’s decision to either start Guimaraes against Frank Lampard’s Toffees, or put the 24-year-old among the substitutes.