Nottingham | Chris Wood to end long injury absence for Forest

Important news for Forest ahead of the run-in

Striker Chris Wood is set to end a six-month injury absence after being included in the squad for the trip to Porto.

Author | Kieran M

The 34-year-old has been out since October but has travelled to Portugal for Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final first leg.

He scored 20 goals as Forest finished seventh in the Premier League last season, though he has managed only four in 13 appearances during an injury-disrupted campaign. This has clearly played a part as Forest struggled to reach the levels they did last season.

Wood's importance to Forest clear

Chris Wood’s career-best return last season highlighted just how central he is to Nottingham Forest’s attacking threat. They scored 58 league goals across the campaign, averaging 1.42 per game, with Wood contributing 34.8% of that total.

The contrast this term is stark. Forest have found the net 31 times in 31 league matches, averaging a goal a game, with Wood managing only two strikes, both coming on the opening day.

Since his arrival at the City Ground in January 2023, the numbers underline his influence. Forest have won 25 of the 67 matches he has started, compared to 15 victories from 59 games without him in the starting eleven.

That equates to a win rate of 37.3% and 1.4 points per game with Wood, dropping to 25.4% and 1.0 points per game in his absence.

His return comes at a pivotal moment. They probably need around seven points to guarantee survival and avoid relegation to the Champions.

Watch | Some of Chris Wood’s goals for Forest. Video uploaded by the club's YouTube channel.

They are also chasing a place in a European semi-final for the first time in 42 years while also locked in a tense battle for Premier League survival.

They sit three points above the relegation zone with seven matches remaining, boosted by a crucial win at Tottenham last month.