Chris Wood Burnley
Chris Wood is set to make a significant return for Nottingham Forest as they prepare for their Europa League quarter-final second leg against Porto. The New Zealand international, who recently returned from injury, played a key role in the first leg and made a substitute appearance in the Premier League draw against Aston Villa. Wood’s comeback is timely for Forest, who are navigating a challenging season both domestically and in Europe.
Chris Wood said: “I always had confidence I would be back this season. Mentally that is a tough thing. I was very close to returning before surgery and it just didn’t happen. That’s just unfortunate. We tried (to heal the injury) conservatively, without surgery. We got very close to returning, which was the frustrating point. I was a day or two away from training with the boys and a week away from selection, so that makes it more frustrating. I am very pleased to be back. The reception (against Villa) was lovely to be a part of. It’s going to take years of managing throughout my whole career, in my life when I have finished playing. When I’m playing with my kids, playing golf or doing whatever I do after (playing), it’s going to be there. I feel as though I’m fully up to fitness. The only way to get sharp is to get out on the pitch and play games. I need to hit the ground running and do that straight away, because we’ve got no time to waste.”
Wood’s return comes at a crucial time for Nottingham Forest, who have experienced significant changes during his absence. The club is currently under the leadership of their fourth head coach of the season, Vitor Pereira, and is striving to balance their European ambitions with the fight for Premier League survival. Wood’s presence on the field is expected to provide a much-needed boost to the team’s attacking options.
The upcoming match against Porto is pivotal for Forest’s European campaign, and Wood acknowledges the importance of focusing on one game at a time. His determination to regain full match sharpness and contribute to the team’s success is evident as he aims to make an immediate impact on his return.
Chris Wood added: “The most important game is the next one, and that is tomorrow night. If we get the job done, then we can focus on getting the job done on Sunday (against Burnley). Both are vitally important to us and we want to win both of them.”
As Nottingham Forest prepare for this crucial fixture, the return of Chris Wood could prove to be a turning point in their season. His experience and goal-scoring ability will be invaluable as the team looks to secure a spot in the Europa League semi-finals and strengthen their position in the Premier League.
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