Chris Wood Returns to Nottingham Forest Squad After Six-Month Injury Break

Wood Back in Action

Nottingham Forest’s forward Chris Wood is set to make a comeback to the squad after a six-month stint on the sidelines due to injury. The 34-year-old forward, who underwent knee surgery back in December, has traveled to Porto for the first leg of Forest’s Europa League quarter-final clash on Thursday.

Despite his absence since October, Wood’s return is significant as he was instrumental last season, scoring 20 goals during Forest’s seventh-place finish in the Premier League. This season, however, he has struggled, netting just four goals in 13 matches marred by injury.

Manager’s Update

Manager Vitor Pereira has confirmed that Wood has resumed training with the team and is available for selection in the upcoming match. Pereira noted, “He has started to train with the team. He is available for the game. We need to manage him a little bit physically, but he has traveled, so he’s set to be in the match tomorrow.”

Pereira emphasized Wood’s experience and goal-scoring ability, highlighting the importance of having him back during a challenging period for the team.

Wood’s last appearance for Forest was under former manager Ange Postecoglou, and he was unavailable during Sean Dyche’s brief tenure before Pereira took over in February. To aid in his rehabilitation, the New Zealand international played twice for the Under-21 team, including scoring in a 3-0 victory against Newcastle last month.

The Impact of Wood on Forest’s Performance

Wood’s contributions last season underscored his vital role in the squad. He accounted for nearly 35% of the team’s 58 league goals, which equated to an average of 1.42 goals per game. However, this season has seen a drop in scoring output, with the team averaging just one goal per game and Wood contributing only twice on the opening day.

Analysis of Forest’s performance since Wood joined in January 2023 reveals a stark contrast in outcomes based on his presence. When he starts, the team’s win rate stands at 37.3%, yielding 1.4 points per game, compared to a meager 25.4% win rate without him, averaging just 1 point per game.

As Nottingham Forest vies for a spot in the European semi-finals for the first time in 42 years, they are also fighting to avoid relegation from the Premier League. Currently, they hold a three-point buffer above the relegation zone with seven matches left in the season following a crucial victory against Tottenham last month.

Pereira remarked on the dual challenges, stating, “The priority is to win the next game, which is tomorrow. The Europa League is critically important, and so is maintaining our Premier League status. I need to find a balance between both competitions. This is the only way to compete effectively tomorrow and again in three days against Aston Villa.”

In closing, Pereira emphasized the importance of each player’s contribution, encouraging them to embrace their roles and prepare to support the club during this crucial period.