AliousNottingham Forest supporters are anxiously awaiting news on their star striker Chris Wood, who suffered a hip injury while representing New Zealand in a match on Monday. The prolific forward, who has notched 18 goals this season, was forced to exit his nation’s World Cup qualifier against New Caledonia after only 54 minutes due to the ailment. Despite his departure, the All Whites secured a 3-0 victory, earning their third-ever World Cup berth. Now, Wood’s focus shifts back to his club, where he’s a linchpin in their quest for a Champions League spot.
Earlier this season, pundit Shay Given lauded Wood’s contributions, and with good reason—his goal-scoring prowess has been vital to Forest’s campaign. Naturally, this injury has sparked concern among the fanbase, prompting the 33-year-old to address the situation himself. Speaking to sports journalist Jason Pine, Wood provided an initial update on his condition, shedding light on his current state.
Wood Speaks Out on His Injury
Since Nuno Espirito Santo took the helm at Nottingham Forest, Wood has been the team’s standout performer up top. Last season, he fired in 14 goals to help secure their Premier League survival, and he’s carried that momentum into the 2024/25 campaign. Following his substitution in New Zealand’s triumph over New Caledonia, Wood opened up about the injury, admitting there’s still uncertainty ahead of medical evaluations.
“I can’t say much right now because I don’t have all the details—I’m getting it checked today with scans and everything,” he told Pine. “Fingers crossed it’s not too bad. It happened when I landed awkwardly, and now I’ve just got to wait and see what the results show. It’s my hip and ribs—there’s a lot of pain there. I couldn’t push off or run properly, and at that point, it’s better to step aside and let someone else take over. You’ve got to put the team first. I wasn’t helping anyone out there—I couldn’t move, and I was holding us back. Coming off was the smart call.”
Wood’s 2024/25 Season in Focus
A few weeks ago, Wood was unstoppable, banging in goals left and right, making his potential absence a daunting prospect for Forest’s ambitions. Yet, his recent dry spell in front of goal offers a sliver of optimism—perhaps the team can cope if he’s sidelined for a stretch. Taiwo Awoniyi, Wood’s understudy, has struggled to find the net this season, managing just one Premier League goal while largely relegated to the bench by Wood’s brilliance. However, the Nigerian has a history of delivering in clutch moments, and this could be his opportunity to shine and prove his worth once more.
Forest fans will be hoping Wood’s injury proves to be a minor hiccup rather than a prolonged setback. Fortunately, the squad boasts plenty of depth and quality, which could cushion the blow if he’s out for a spell. For now, all eyes are on the scan results as the club braces for the next steps in their standout season.
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