Daily Mail journalist Craig Hope has given his insight into the 'criteria' of Chris Wood's loan package from Newcastle United to fellow Premier League side Nottingham Forest.

The Lowdown: Wood joins Forest on loan

Eddie Howe's side agreed to loan out the New Zealand striker to Forest, the deal includes an option to buy which would extend his contract until next year.

Wood joined Newcastle last January from Burnley for a fee of £25 million, he's netted four Premier League goals for the Magpies since his arrival.

The 31-year-old's first two league goals were particularly important scoring in a 2-1 against Southampton at St Mary's and the winning strike from the penalty spot at home against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Latest: Hope drops details of loan package

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Hope said that Forest offered Newcastle an offer they couldn't refuse and they took it. Forest doesn't have to survive the drop to keep hold of Wood and the criteria of the loan is that he plays a couple of games.

He stated (1:18), "What has happened is Forest have presented Newcastle with a financial package that makes absolute sense. We're told on good authority that it's about 15 million pounds to make the deal permanent.

"And there's the criteria to be met, for that could be the case, I think are weighted heavily in Newcastle's favour. I think it's really going to take a couple of games, Forest don't have to survive for that move to become permanent.

"I think if Chris would place a handful of matches, there is an obligation to make that move permanent for 15 million pound."

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The Verdict: A great deal for Newcastle

The signing of Wood last January was in some ways a panic buy, bringing in a forward who has Premier League experience as they hope to stay up.

Howe's side did exactly that and ended up finishing 11th at the end of last season, so Wood hasn't been a total disaster in a black-and-white shirt.

£15 million for his services would be a fantastic bit of business, only ten million less than what they spent on him a year ago.

Wood excels in one area in particular and that's in the air, he's in the top 1% for aerial duals won across Europe's top leagues and competitions and strikers (FBref).

It would be a total Eddie Howe masterclass if Newcastle beat Southampton over two legs in the Carabao Cup semi-final and Wood were to be the cause for Forest to knock Manchester United out of the League Cup, only for him to then not be able to play in the final.