Nottingham Forest has been dealt a major blow ahead of their crucial relegation battle with Wolves on Saturday, as Chris Wood has been ruled out for the rest of the season. The New Zealand international, who was signed from Newcastle United for £15 million in January, suffered a thigh injury while training with his national team during the international break. Forest boss Steve Cooper confirmed that the 31-year-old striker has undergone surgery to repair the damage. This is the second thigh injury that Wood has suffered recently, having picked up a similar injury in the defeat at Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month. However, his latest injury is to his other thigh and completes a miserable period for Cooper as his medical room continues to fill up at a crucial time of the season.
Cooper also revealed that Serge Aurier, Andre Ayew, and Gustavo Scarpa have picked up injuries over the break, and it is unclear how long they will be out for or what their availability will be for the next few games. However, Taiwo Awoniyi and Cheikhou Kouyate are back in full training, and Moussa Niakhate is also back after playing his first game for Senegal during the international break.
Wood’s absence will be seen as a huge blow to Forest’s survival chances as the experienced striker has only managed seven Premier League outings for his new club. He scored in his fourth appearance for Forest against Manchester City last month and was just finding his feet when he suffered a second injury setback. Cooper must now face 13th-placed Wolves in Saturday’s vital City Ground relegation scrap without Wood leading the line, with fellow frontman Andre Ayew also injured following international duty and doubts over local hero Brennan Johnson too.
Cooper acknowledged that it’s a mixed bag on availability and that he would like it to look better, but it’s something they have to deal with. He added that they will put their focus on the players who are available and who are training ready to play the next game and commit to them. Brennan Johnson is not back to full fitness, and it’s something they are assessing on a daily basis and having to manage. With three games in a week, it’s a day-by-day situation, not just with Brennan but with a few of the boys.
In conclusion, Nottingham Forest will have to dig deep and find a way to win without their star striker, Chris Wood. It’s a crucial time of the season, and every point counts as they fight to avoid relegation. Cooper will have to rely on his available players and hope that they can step up and deliver when it matters most.