Arsenal and Chelsea have been handed a huge boost in their hopes of securing a spot in the Champions League next season following news of a worrying injury to one of Nottingham Forest's best players.
The Gunners are currently second in the Premier League table, 11 points above Newcastle in sixth. Due to the current English teams participating in European competitions, fifth-place is set to be an extra spot in next season's Champions League.
Enzo Maresca's men are fourth on 49 points, just four points above Aston Villa in ninth. With nine games left to play, the race for a spot in UEFA's prestigious competition is set to go to the wire.
Nottingham Forest are currently third in the table and looked destined to conclude a memorable season at the City Ground. Nuno Espirito Santo's men have won 16 games this season and have enjoyed a superb turnaround after fighting relegation last term.
However, they will return to Premier League action after the current international break sweating over the fitness of Chris Wood after the striker was forced off for New Zealand on Monday.
The 33-year-old, who has netted 18 goals for Forest, was taken off against New Caledonia with an apparent hip injury. Wood seemed to be suffering with some discomfort and withdrew in the 54th minute.
Chris Wood
Chris Wood's goals have been pivotal in Nottingham Forest's top four chase (Image: Getty Images)
Forest face a tricky run of fixtures in April with Manchester United, Aston Villa, Everton, Tottenham and Brentford awaiting. Without Wood's goals this season, Forest's top scorers are Antony Elanga, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Morgan Gibbs-White with only five goals.
Second-choice striker Taiwo Awoniyi has managed only two goals in all competitions. Being without Wood could be a huge blow to their hopes of a top five finish but could be a blessing for Chelsea to secure their spot in the Champions League.