Nottingham Forest’s striker Chris Wood will be unavailable for their FA Cup quarter-final matchup against Brighton & Hove Albion due to an injury sustained while on international duty with New Zealand, as confirmed by club manager Nuno Espirito Santo on Thursday. This season, Wood has been a vital player for Forest, scoring 18 goals in the Premier League and helping the team secure a third-place standing, which is crucial as they vie for Champions League qualification.
The 33-year-old captain showcased his talent during the recent international fixtures, including scoring a hat-trick against Fiji in a World Cup qualifying match that New Zealand won 7-0. Unfortunately, he suffered a painful hip injury after a hard knock during a subsequent victory over New Caledonia. Espirito Santo stated that Wood underwent scans and will be evaluated further as they await more information about his condition, noting, “He felt a kick really hard on his hip so there is pain there.”
Despite his absence in the upcoming cup match, Wood’s contributions have been significant, having also taken and scored in penalty shootouts against Exeter City and Ipswich Town in earlier rounds of the FA Cup. Forest will face Brighton, aiming to maintain their cup momentum and bolster their confidence as they also prepare for a crucial Premier League clash against Manchester City.
As players return from international duty, Espirito Santo mentioned ongoing assessments for other potential injuries, highlighting the importance of managing player fitness during these busy periods.
The resilience and performance of Nottingham Forest this season have cultivated a sense of hope among fans and management alike, as they strive for success on multiple fronts.
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