A huge Newcastle United injury lift has emerged regarding centre-forward Chris Wood...

What's the latest?

The New Zealand international was not in the matchday squad for the 2-0 win against Arsenal on Monday night, but Eddie Howe has now hinted that he could be back at the weekend.

An own goal from Ben White and a strike from Bruno Guimaraes sealed the three points for the Magpies as Callum Wilson led the line in place of Wood on the night.

The Athletic's Chris Waugh tweeted after the game: "Javier Manquillo missed NUFC's 2-0 victory over AFC tonight with chicken pox, while Chris Wood was absent with a hip injury which Eddie Howe "hopes isn't too serious". Wood has a chance of being back for Burnley, his former club, on Sunday."

Howe will be delighted

The Toon boss will be delighted that the striker's blow is not a serious one, as it suggests that Wood will be back for the final game of the season on Sunday.

Newcastle are two points off the top half of the table heading into their clash against Burnley, and they have a realistic chance of finishing in the top 10 if they are able to beat the Clarets - potentially consigning them to relegation from the Premier League in the process.

This means that there is still a lot riding on this game for both teams, although the Magpies have already secured their place in the top flight for another year. Therefore, it may be a tense, cagey encounter at Turf Moor as Mike Jackson's side scrap for their lives to avoid the drop.

With this in mind, having a player with Wood's physical prowess available will be a big boost to Howe's team. In the Premier League this season, the striker has won a whopping 6.2 aerial battles per game, which highlights his strength in the air.

The 30-year-old will be a useful option for Howe to call upon as he can win headers to create counterattacks and alleviate pressure from the defence. Burnley may start the game quickly and attempt to load the box with crosses in what could be a must-win clash for them, and this would mean that the Newcastle defenders will need a target to hit when they clear the ball. That is what Wood can be.

Therefore, the Magpies boss will be buzzing by the prospect of having the attacker available and may utilise his strengths against the club that he left to come to St James' Park in January.

AND in other news, Forget Guimaraes: £59k-p/w NUFC dynamo who won 100% duels was a monster on Monday...