Newcastle United looking to avoid Chris Wood repeat as £35m star reacts to Carabao Cup draw

Elliot Anderson posted a grinning emoji on Instagram after Newcastle United drew Nottingham Forest in the carabao Cup second round.

In a bizarre twist of fate, the midfielder will line up against his former club just weeks after reluctantly being shown the door. Toon chiefs scrambled over the FFP/PSR deadline on June 30 by selling Anderson, who joined the club’s academy aged eight.

Forest stumped up £35million for the 21-year-old, with Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos heading in the opposite direction. Anderson opened up about the “tough” decision to leave following his big-money exit.

"It was really tough," he told Forest’s media channel about the move. "I was with my family on holiday when I heard the news. It was tough, but it's very exciting to start your journey and really push yourself to see what you can achieve.

“The lads have really helped me settle in. I think it's always daunting joining a new club, but they've been brilliant with me."

He now gets the chance to exert revenge on his former club just two weeks into the new campaign. Posting on Instagram, Anderson stayed speechless but did share a smiley emoji alongside confirmation of the draw. 

Newcastle were pulled out of the hat away to the Tricky Trees - a fixture that could also see Sandro Tonali make his long-awaited comeback after his suspension date was clarified by the club. Eddie Howe will be hoping to avoid a repeat of last season when Chris Wood - recently sold to Forest - netted a hat-trick to stun the Magpies on Boxing Day.