Chris Wood
NFO
New Zealand
Right
Dec 7, 1991
34
6'3"
179 lb
CF
--
Target Striker
ForestScoreless in 45 minutes Thursday
Wood took one shot (zero on goal) and generated one scoring chance over 45 minutes of play in Thursday's UEFA Europa League visit to Porto.
Analysis: Wood completed the first half of the UEL quarterfinals opening leg, marking his return to first-team activity following his six-month absence due to a knee injury. He was replaced by Igor Jesus, who should now be his main positional competitor while both Lorenzo Lucca and Taiwo Awoniyi are relegated in the depth chart. The experienced striker will look to see his playing time gradually increased in upcoming weeks and should have chances to add to his season tally of three goals in 10 appearances across all competitions.
Starting vs Porto
Wood (knee) is in the starting lineup for Thursday's Europa League match against Porto.
Analysis: Wood will not only be part of the squad here, but he's going to start and lead the way in this contest. This is Wood's first game since Oct. 18, so it wouldn't be surprising if he has some limitations in terms of his playing time.
Available for Porto game
Wood (knee) is expected to be an option for Thursday's UEL meeting with Porto after training with the team and traveling as part of the squad, manager Vitor Pereira confirmed "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.", according to Sarah Clapson of the Nottingham Post.
Analysis: Wood should be able to see minutes, making his comeback to first-team action after several months of inactivity. Having already played and scored a goal for the U21 side, the striker is likely to continue a gradual return to normal workload before challenging Igor Jesus for a starting role. The New Zealand international had generated three goals from 17 shots (seven on target) over nine club appearances in the early stages of the season.
Trains Wednesday
Wood (knee) was training Wednesday and is a potential option for Thursday's UEL match against Porto.
Analysis: Wood has been nearing a return for a hit of time now and looks to be the closest he has been, with the forward able to train Wednesday. This will likely leave him to travel with the squad as well, potentially lining him up to play and make his return as well. He has only two goals in eight appearances this season after a career season with 20 goals in 36 appearances last campaign, so the club is looking to get a boost from his return, as he has not seen the field since October.
Should return against Porto
Wood (knee) is targeting a return to the first team in the April 9 Europa League visit to Porto after logging 45 minutes for the Under-21 squad and featuring with Nottingham's B team over the past two weeks.
Analysis: Wood has made big progress in his recovery from a long-term injury, and it seems the next step is for him to train with the main team and get minutes in European action. The striker scored one goal and created two scoring chances when he played in the first half of a U21 clash with Newcastle on March 20. While the jump to top-division play might be a much tougher challenge for the veteran, he'll likely be involved in a rotation with Igor Jesus, Lorenzo Lucca and Taiwo Awoniyi in upcoming weeks.
Playing with B Team
Wood (knee) will play with Nottingham's B Team in a friendly match against Northampton on Friday, according to John Percy of The Telegraph.
Analysis: Wood seems to be in the final stages of his recovery, and the plan is for him to play up to 60 minutes in this friendly. The goal for Forest is to have the striker ready for the first leg of the UEFA Europa League quarterfinals against FC Porto on April 9.
Starting with U21s
Wood (knee) is starting Friday's match with the U21 team. According to manager Vitor Pereira. "I don't want to push him up, but I think he will be able to help us in the last few games of the season."
Analysis: Wood could on the verge of returning with the senior team if all goes well Friday. If he stays healthy and continues his rehab without setbacks, the veteran could be in the mix to face Aston Villa on Sunday, April 12, or perhaps Porto in the Europa League on April 9. Wood hasn't played since Oct. 18 and has been limited to just eight appearances and two goals with Forest in the 2025/26 campaign.
No date for return yet
Wood (knee) doesn't have a clear timetable to return, manager Vitor Pereira told media during Friday's press conference. "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."
Analysis: According to a report from the New Zealand Herald, Wood could be in line to return at some point in April, but Pereira was cautious about that report. The striker hasn't played since Oct. 18, and with him sidelined, Igor Jesus and Lorenzo Lucca will continue to handle the bulk of minutes at striker, with the Brazilian being the first-choice.
Making steady progress
Wood (knee) is making "steady progress" but doesn't have a clear return date yet, manager Sean Dyche told media Thursday. "The repair on the knee has gone well and it is just steady progress now. It is week by week and making sure it is going in the right direction, which it certainly is so far."
Analysis: Wood is on a week-to-week basis, but he's nowhere close to being ready, so the Trick Trees will have to continue waiting to have their veteran striker available for selection. Igor Jesus and Lorenzo Lucca will continue as the main options upfront as long as Wood, who hasn't played since Oct. 18, remains sidelined.
Making slow progress
Wood (knee) is progressing but is not ready to return yet, manager Sean Dyche told media Thursday. "Woody is making slow but sure progress."
Analysis: There's no clear return date for Wood, but at least he seems to be trending in the right direction after what has been an injury-marred season for the striker. Wood hasn't played since Oct. 18, and Igor Jesus will continue as Forest's starting forward as long as Wood remains out.
No timeframe to return yet
Wood (knee) is getting follow-up scans and everything is going well so far, although no timeframe is known for his return, coach Sean Dyche said in a press conference, according to Jak Netting from Vavel. "He's seeing the specialist for a follow-up scan by the end of this week or early into next week. But that's only a check-up, it's all going well so far."
Analysis: Wood is getting regular follow up scans with a specialist for his knee injury, but the striker doesn't have a precise timeframe for his return. Wood has missed all games since mid October after suffering a knee injury with New Zealand that required several surgeries. The striker will miss several months before making his return to the match squad, leaving Igor Jesus to take the starting spot and lead Forest's attack.
Months away from return
Wood (knee) is still sidelined and could take "months, not weeks" to complete his recovery, manager Sean Dyche said in press conference.
Analysis: Wood underwent surgery in December as he continued to struggle with his knee injury. He hasn't played since Oct. 18, and his return in the 2025/26 campaign looks complicated. This is a problem for the front-line depth of a team that may continue to rely on Igor Jesus and occasionally on Taiwo Awoniyi at center-forward.
Will undergo another surgery
Wood (knee) will undergo another surgery and doesn't have a timetable to return to action, Sarah Clapson of Nottingham Post reports.
Analysis: Wood has been sidelined since mid-October with a knee problem, but he's set to be sidelined for "another period of time" after posting a photo on his Instagram account while in a hospital bed. Wood doesn't have a clear timetable for his return to action, meaning Igor Jesus will remain as the main option for the striker role for the time being.
Still no timeline
Wood (knee) has no timeline for his return, BBC Sport reports.
Analysis: Wood still remains without an exact date for his return despite training on grass. He's been working back stage by stage in his recovery but hasn't progressed quite as well as hoped. Wood is more likely than not going to be targeting a return in Jan. 2026 at this point, with Igor Jesus continuing in the starting XI.
Training on grass
Wood (knee) has been training on grass in recent days and is making good progress, coach Sean Dyche said in a press conference, according to Jak Netting from Vavel. "Wood's making progress, which is good. He's on the grass, and he's still had a couple of days on the grass. It's a bit of a slow burner that one, it's not going to be immediate, but he's back out there and just starting the process, so that's good news."
Analysis: Wood has been making good progress in his rehabilitation from a knee injury that sidelined him since mid-October, as he has been spotted training on grass in recent days. This is positive news for Forest, although it indicates he still has some way to go before making his return to the match squad. That return could still happen before the end of the year, while Igor Jesus is expected to replace him in the frontline while he is out.
Progressing in recovery
Wood (knee) is "making a bit of progress, but it is still early days.", manager Sean Dyche said in press conference ahead of Saturday's trip to Everton, Katie Stafford of BBC Sport reports.
Analysis: Wood is still dealing with the issue that has sidelined him since Oct. 18. The striker's return date remains unclear, with Igor Jesus likely to fill in for him in upcoming matches. Wood played nine games across all competitions prior to the injury, scoring three goals over that period.
Still out
Wood (knee) is out for Wednesday's match against Wolves, according to manager Sean Dyche, per Jak Netting of Vavel.
Analysis: Wood is going to remain sidelined as he continues to recover from his knee injury, a ninth straight game on the sidelines due to his problems. It still remains up in the air when a return could come, a rough spell for the forward who is coming off a career season. He is their starting forward when fit, leaving Igor Jesus to remain in his spot until Wood is fit again.
Not playing vs. Brighton
Wood (knee) won't be available for Sunday's game against Brighton and is uncertain when he'll be able to return, manager Sean Dyche told media during Friday's press conference. "It is just a settling-down period. It just needs time. There is nothing we can do to fast-forward it at the moment. It is just a bit of a waiting game at the minute," he said.
Analysis: Dyche revealed the striker is "feeling good," but isn't ready to participate in competitive action yet. This latest update is far from encouraging, as there's little clarity on when Wood might be able to return to the side. He'll have two chances to play next week -- at Wolverhampton on Wednesday and Everton on Saturday.
Getting another scan
Wood (knee) will get another scan and won't be an option for Saturday's game against Liverpool, manager Sean Dyche confirmed during Thursday's pre-match press conference. "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."
Analysis: It seems Wood hasn't suffered a new injury, so Wood wouldn't have been available for this game even if there was no new scan to be conducted. The absence of the striker means Igor Jesus should lead the attacking line once again.
Will wait for return
Wood (knee) is out for Sunday's match against Leeds United, according to manager Sean Dyche, per Sarah Clapson of the Nottingham Post. "I think it's improbable [he plays], unfortunately. Maybe after that. Maybe after the Leeds game, there's a stronger chance."
Analysis: Wood was appearing to trend in the right direction for Sunday's match, but will instead hit the sidelines again, with the forward taking caution and waiting until after the international break. This is a five-game streak on the sidelines for the forward, a brutal run after not missing a match all of last season. The good news is he was nearing a return, likely to be fit once they resume play after the break.
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