Striker Chris Wood will end his six-month injury lay-off by rejoining the Nottingham Forest squad in Porto. The 34-year-old forward, who has been sidelined since January 2023, is set to bolster a team fighting for Premier League survival and a historic European semi-final. With Forest three points above the relegation zone and seven games remaining, Wood’s return could shift momentum.

Last season, he contributed to 58 league goals (34.8% of the team’s total), averaging 1.42 per match. This campaign, Forest have scored 31 times in 31 games, but Wood himself has managed just two goals in 31 league appearances. Since joining from Leeds United, he has started 67 of 67 games, with Forest winning 25 of those matches.

Without him, the team’s win rate drops to 25.4% (1.0 points per game) versus 37.3% (1.4 points per game) with him. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo emphasized urgency: "The priority is to win the next game – tomorrow’s match against Aston Villa is critical." Wood’s physicality and goal-scoring pedigree could address defensive vulnerabilities, but his fitness and integration into a reshaped squad remain concerns. The club’s dual focus on European qualification and avoiding relegation hinges on balancing his workload.