Nottingham Forest forward Chris Wood has been ruled out of the FA Cup quarter-final with Brighton & Hove Albion.
With 18 goals and three assists in this season’s Premier League, the 33-year-old has emerged as one of the stars of the season.
However, earlier this week, the New Zealand international was withdrawn during the second half of his nation’s World Cup qualifier against New Caledonia.
Although the frontman was able to celebrate New Zealand’s subsequent qualification for next year’s finals, it was apparent that Wood was suffering with a hip injury.
As a result of the trip to the Amex Stadium being less than a week away, Wood’s participation in that contest was immediately put in doubt.
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Nuno provides Wood update
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday afternoon, head coach Nuno Espirito Santo revealed that the game would come too soon for his leading marksman.
The Portuguese told reporters: “He went for a scan today. We are still waiting. He has been to a specialist for a scan. We will wait on the information and see.
“He will not be available for this game. He felt a kick really hard on his hip so there is pain there. We have to wait.”
Nuno added that other members of the squad would be assessed in due course courtesy of their time spent with their countries on international duty.
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Would Wood have played anyway?
In the three previous rounds, Wood has been left on the substitutes’ bench with Premier League fixtures having taken priority.
With a match against Manchester United taking place three days on from the Brighton game, it is highly likely that Wood would have been kept in reserve.
As it stands, it is unclear whether Wood will recover in time for the United game, a potentially-pivotal match in Forest’s season as they bid to qualify for the Champions League.
Responsibility will fall on the shoulders of Taiwo Awoniyi on Saturday, the Nigerian having netted just twice from six starts and 20 substitute outings in all competitions during 2024-25.
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