Newcastle United fans hoping for a dramatic reunion with academy graduate Elliot Anderson will have to wait a little longer. The Magpies’ upcoming Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest, initially scheduled for Saturday, May 9 at 3pm BST, has been pushed back nearly 24 hours to Sunday, May 10 with a 2pm kick-off due to live broadcast selection by Sky Sports.
While the fixture reshuffle may seem minor, it carries major significance for both clubs. Forest, embroiled in a tense relegation battle, will be desperate to secure points at the City Ground, while Newcastle look to salvage a frustrating campaign after slipping to 12th in the table with just seven games remaining. The timing of the match also adds emotional weight for supporters anticipating Anderson’s latest encounter with his former club.
Anderson, who left Newcastle in 2024 for a £35million transfer to Forest to avoid Premier League sanctions under the PSR (Profit and Sustainability Rules), has been a standout performer at the City Ground. The midfielder has broken into the England national squad and established himself as a key figure for Forest. However, his record against his old club has been stark: in four previous encounters with Newcastle since his departure, Anderson has been on the losing side every time.
The midfielder’s past appearances include the 2-0 defeat earlier this season, the 4-3 thriller at St James’ Park last season, a 3-1 loss at the City Ground, and Forest’s penalty shootout defeat in the Carabao Cup second round. On each occasion, Anderson was unable to secure a result against the club where he spent his formative years, leaving fans anticipating whether he can finally change the narrative.
Interest in Anderson has not waned. Manchester City and Manchester United have reportedly been monitoring his progress closely, with both Premier League giants considering moves for the talented midfielder this summer. Meanwhile, Newcastle themselves would like to bring him back to St James’ Park, but the club acknowledges they are likely to be priced out, lacking any buy-back or sell-on clauses from the original transfer.
Eddie Howe, Newcastle’s head coach, has openly expressed regret over Anderson’s departure, highlighting the constraints that forced the club’s hand at the time. “Certainly from my perspective, I would love him too [to return],” Howe said. “It is very regretful a player from the academy, who had given so much and the club had given so much too, was not able to be utilised here due to financial restrictions. It didn’t sit right then, and it doesn’t sit right today.”
The delayed fixture also introduces strategic implications. Forest will want to maximize the advantage of playing at home, while Newcastle will be eager to maintain their unbeaten record at the City Ground, which stretches back to the team’s return to the Premier League. The reverse fixture at St James’ Park earlier this season saw Newcastle emerge 2-0 victors thanks to goals from Bruno Guimaraes and Nick Woltemade, underscoring the challenge Anderson faces in changing his personal record against his former club.
For fans, the Sky Sports rescheduling provides an extended build-up to what could be Anderson’s final clash against Newcastle as a Forest player. With Premier League transfer speculation swirling, the reunion may carry more significance than a typical league game—it represents both a personal milestone for Anderson and a strategic challenge for Newcastle.
As May 10 approaches, all eyes will be on the City Ground to see whether Anderson can finally secure a positive result against Newcastle or whether his misfortune against the Magpies will continue. Either way, the match promises high drama, both on the pitch and in the transfer market.
