SOUTHAMPTON: Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe hopes Chris Wood鈥檚 recent first goal for the club will be the first of many for the big New Zealander.

Wood had gone eight games without a goal since signing for the Magpies in January, but broke his duck on Thursday with a header in the 2-1 win at Southampton.

And while some questions had been raised about Wood鈥檚 performance since his $32.7million arrival, Howe stressed after the game that he had been pleased with Wood鈥檚 contribution since joining.

鈥淔or him personally, (the goal) was hugely important. For me, much less so, as I have seen what he has done for the team,鈥� said Howe. 鈥淗e has been a huge player for us. He gives us an ability to build attacks in a different way.

鈥淗e needed that goal. It was a good header from a difficult angle. You could see from his celebration that it meant a lot to him. And hopefully, it鈥檚 the first of many,鈥� he continued.

Midfielder Bruno Guimaraes 鈥� another January signing 鈥� also got off the mark against Southampton in his first start for the Magpies. The Brazilian produced an outrageous piece of skill to win the game at St Mary鈥檚 Stadium, with a backheeled volley from a Dan Burn knockdown in the second half.

The goal, however, only tells half the story of what was an impressive full debut for the player.

鈥淗e is a defensive midfielder, a number six, but a creative number six,鈥� Howe said. 鈥淚 haven鈥檛 seen much of that, a backheel goal. Goalscoring isn鈥檛 really something he鈥檚 known for. But he is creative, he can do the unexpected and that鈥檚 what he did.鈥�

Guimaraes got his chance to play when his fellow countryman Joelinton pulled out with a groin issue the day before the match.

At the time, that was Howe鈥檚 only unexpected injury problem 鈥� although both Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson are likely out with long-term injuries. But after a bruising encounter on the south coast, the squad may be further depleted.

Center back Fabian Schar has an ongoing groin issue, but Howe is hopeful he will be able to play against Chelsea on Sunday.

The head coach was unsure if Joelinton and star winger Allan Saint-Maximin will make Sunday鈥檚 game though.

鈥�(Joelinton) has also been managing a groin problem. We hope it isn鈥檛 going to keep him out too long, it was enough to see him miss (the Southampton) game. With the games we have coming up we wanted to protect him,鈥� Howe said.

鈥�(Saint-Maximin) is ill,鈥� he continued. 鈥淲e hope that isn鈥檛 a long-term thing for him, but we do not know if that will keep him out (against) Chelsea or not.鈥�