Callum Hudson Odoi Chelsea
Nottingham Forest is grappling with a series of injuries, but there is optimism as several players are making strides in their recovery. Callum Hudson-Odoi is poised to return for the upcoming clash against Liverpool at Anfield, while Chris Wood’s participation remains uncertain pending a knee scan. Other players, including Douglas Luiz, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Angus Gunn, continue their rehabilitation but are not expected to feature in the near future.
Sean Dyche said: “Callum Hudson-Odoi has made good progress. He’s been on the grass with us this week, so he is certainly in consideration to be in the squad which is better news. Chris Wood is getting re-scanned, so we are checking up on that. But it is good news so far. Being re-scanned is just part of the process, there is nothing untoward about it – it is just a check-up. Douglas Luiz is making progress but he is going to be a matter of time; it is not going to be instant. Angus Gunn is still recovering from a knee injury – it is sort of straightforward but is going to take a bit of time. Dilane Bakwa is making good progress. He is on the grass but not with us, he is with the medical staff and sport science staff. Ola Aina is very similar. Oleksandr Zinchenko is making progress with the sport science team and the physios, not with us. And young keeper Aaron Bott is making progress but is longer term. We have still got a bit of a list. Callum is (the only one with a chance of playing on Saturday) at the moment. He is around it. If today and tomorrow go well and he feels OK, at least we can think about him being back in the fold. That will be a positive.”
Sean Dyche further explained: “It is just a settling period, it is nothing too serious, it is a grumbling knee. It is serious enough to stop him from loading it; from loading in daily training, but it is settling down. Part of the recovery is to have it re-scanned to see where it is at. He is feeling good in himself, which is always a good sign. We are managing to keep his fitness levels up in the gym. It has just taken a bit of a period for the injury to calm down. We hope we are towards the end of that period. He has rounded himself off. He is a very strong professional now. He has done that himself. His pressing and defending from the front – we had to work a lot with him on that. He had Ashley Barnes next to him, who did that brilliantly. He has improved that no end, so credit to him for that. He will be a good figure to have back, particularly with his goalscoring ability.”
The potential return of Hudson-Odoi is a boost for Nottingham Forest, especially with the team’s current injury woes. His inclusion would provide an additional attacking option for the squad. Meanwhile, Wood’s situation remains in limbo as the club awaits further clarity from his scan. With Igor Jesus likely to maintain his starting role, the team will hope Wood can join the lineup soon, adding his experience and goal-scoring prowess to the mix.
The Reds are navigating a challenging period, with key players sidelined, but the progress in their recovery is a positive sign. Dyche’s comments reflect cautious optimism as the team prepares for a crucial match against Liverpool. The manager’s reunion with Wood, once fully fit, is anticipated to strengthen the squad’s attacking dynamics, drawing on their previous successful collaboration at Burnley.
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