Nottingham Forest have been without striker Chris Wood since October due to a knee injury
Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood
Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood could be about a month away from returning to action, it has been claimed.
The New Zealand international has not played since October and underwent knee surgery around the turn of the year. His absence has been sorely felt by the Reds, who have struggled for goals in his absence.
Wood was Forest’s top scorer in the Premier League last season with a 20-goal haul. This time around, No.10 Morgan Gibbs-White currently leads the way with seven goals.
A lack of firepower has left Vitor Pereira’s side in the thick of the relegation dogfight. If their talisman could be back for the run-in it would come as a huge boost.
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According to New Zealand newspaper The Post, the national team expect Wood to “be on track” for a mid-April return. The update comes as the forward has not been included in his country’s squad for their upcoming fixtures.
Wood is among several New Zealand players left out due to injury. But The Post state manager Darren Bazeley has said they are all set for comebacks before this summer’s World Cup.
Bazeley said: “We know the deadline for naming our FIFA World Cup squad is getting closer and closer, so we are pleased to be able to give opportunities to a number of players to state their case, especially with a few regulars unavailable for this window.”
Reds defender Tyler Bindon, who is on loan at Sheffield United, has been named in the international squad. New Zealand are set to take on Finland on March 27, followed by a meeting with Chile on March 30.
Wood has described the issue as “swelling of the bone”. Not long ago he was seen wearing a knee brace, but he looked much more comfortable when he stood watching his teammates complete their pre-match warm-up against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the City Ground recently. Forest have remained cautious about putting a potential timeline on his recovery.
Pereira recently said: “I hope he will recover as soon as possible because he is very important for us. I don’t know exactly when he can return. The information I have is he is working hard to come back as soon as possible.”
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After Forest’s defeat to Liverpool last month, Pereira had been asked whether it was likely Wood would play again this term. He said at the time: “I hope so. He is recovering. I hope so because he is important for us.”
Last month, Wood provided an update on his recovery. He said: “It’s been not a nice time, injuries isn’t great. The manner of the injury has not been perfect because we’ve tried different things and had setbacks and having to go down different routes of surgery and things like that, so, it’s not been smooth sailing.
“It’s frustrating not being able to help the team, especially when I’m watching on the sidelines and things like that and knowing I could potentially help if I was involved. But I’ve got to make sure I get myself right, get myself ready, so I can then help the team when I get back and fit.”
“Had some positive news from the surgeon to say I can go on to the next stages and things like that, so it’s better for my rehab now,” he added. “It’s getting better day by day, which is great. I’m thinking that I need to work hard to be able to get myself back, fit, right, ready for the end of the season and then on to the offseason and into next year.”
Forest have eight games remaining in their battle for survival. They travel to the capital to face relegation rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, in their final match before the international break.
Forest’s final eight games
Tottenham Hotspur (A) – Sunday, March 22
Aston Villa (H) – Saturday, April 11
Burnley (H) – Saturday, April 18
Sunderland (A) – Friday, April 24
Chelsea (A) – Saturday, May 2
Newcastle United (H) – Saturday, May 9
Manchester United (A) – Sunday, May 17
Bournemouth (H) – Sunday, May 24
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