All eyes are on Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood after he picked up a hip injury whilst playing for New Zealand on Monday.
The 18-goal striker was forced out of his country’s World Cup qualifier with New Caledonia after just 54 minutes with a hip injury.
The All Whites qualified for the World Cup for the third time in their history and now Wood will turn his attentions back to Forest and the push for Champions League football.
Shay Given hailed Wood earlier in the season and given his goalscoring exploits, it’s clear that he’s very important to the Forest team.
This potential injury setback has Forest fans worried, however, and now, the striker has broken his silence and delivered an update on how he’s feeling.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Chris Wood breaks silence with injury update
Wood has been the in-form talisman in the Forest team ever since Nuno Espirito Santo checked in at the club.
He bagged 14 goals last season as the team remained in the Premier League and picked up where he left off during 2024/25.
After being substituted in the 3-0 win over New Caledonia, he’s been speaking to sports reporter Jason Pine on how he’s feeling in the aftermath.
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He said: “I can’t say too much at the moment because I don’t know, I have to go and get it checked out today and get some scans on it and things like that but hopefully it’s nothing too serious. I landed awkwardly and I’ve just got to deal with what comes out now.
“Hip and rib, it’s just one of those where it’s a lot of pain and I couldn’t push off on it and couldn’t run. When that happens it’s best if I just get off and let someone else come on and have a go.
“I think you have to think about the team first, I was doing nobody any favours, I couldn’t move and I was letting the side down. Bringing me off was the right thing to do.”
Chris Wood stats 2024/25
A few weeks back Wood couldn’t stop scoring and losing him could seriously derail the season.
However, in recent games, the Kiwi hasn’t been among the goalscorers and that does at least offer hope that things can go smoothly still if he’s going to be out for some time.
Taiwo Awoniyi has just one Premier League goal to his name this season amid Wood’s form keeping him out of the team.
Chris Wood stats 2024/25 Total
Appearances 29
Goals 18
Aerials Won 78
Shots 53
The Nigerian has scored important goals in the past, however, and this could be the chance he needs to step up and remind everyone exactly what he’s capable of.
The hope will be that Wood won’t be out for too long but right now, the squad is blessed with an abundance of talent and hopefully, the impact is minimal.