Vitor Pereira
Nottingham Forest is set to resume their Europa League campaign as they prepare to face FC Porto in the first leg of the quarter-final at the Estadio do Dragao. The match marks a significant moment for the Reds, as New Zealand international Chris Wood is poised to make his return to the squad after a lengthy absence due to a knee injury. Having been sidelined since October, Wood’s recovery and inclusion in the match squad is a welcome boost for head coach Vitor Pereira.
Vitor Pereira said: “He has started to train with the team. He is available for the game. He is working with us. We need to manage him a little bit physically but he has travelled. It means he is available to be in the squad tomorrow. He is an experienced player, he scores goals and it is important to be ready to help the team in this moment because we will face a lot of challenges.”
Wood has already gained some match fitness by playing with the club’s B team, and his experience and goal-scoring ability are expected to be crucial as Forest navigates the dual challenges of European competition and Premier League survival. Defender Jair Cunha also traveled with the team to Portugal, although he remains unavailable for selection due to a foot injury sustained in a previous match against FC Midtjylland.
Vitor Pereira said of Jair Cunha: “We have almost solved the situation. But not yet for this game.”
The Reds are coming off a victory against Tottenham Hotspur, which they hoped to capitalize on immediately. However, the international break meant that some players were on national duty, while others remained to train with Pereira. This period allowed the team to focus on preparation and recovery, setting the stage for a crucial encounter in the Europa League.
Vitor Pereira added: “The priority is to win the next game, and the next game is tomorrow. The Europa League is very important, and it is very important to keep the club in the Premier League. With the players who stayed with me, we took great advantage of the work done and worked very well.”
As Nottingham Forest aims for a place in the European semi-finals, Pereira emphasized the need for confidence and strategic management of playing time to maintain the intensity required for such high-level matches. The team will need to demonstrate bravery and intelligence against Porto, with an eye also on their upcoming Premier League clash against Aston Villa.
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