Steve's words. He seems very enthusiastic. ''Working with Nicko next year'' must be about a new album. What else? For other things, Rod will work with Nicko, not Steve. And it makes perfect sense - recording in 2025, release in 2026 after the tour, 5 years gap. You'd think Steve wouldn't give away/hint they are going to record an album because they like to work in secret, but he did it in 2018, so. He wouldn't say ''working'' if it was about Nicko guest playing live with the band, right?
The management have other projects in mind for Nicko, obviously from his statement, but that doesn't interfere. Also, remember what Bruce said live on stage. All this talk from Steve and Rod about a special next year has to include other stuff, right. It can't just be about the tour, and I assume the documentary is already done.