Chris Wood available for Nottingham Forest’s Europa League trip to Porto | OneFootball

Chris Wood is available for Nottingham Forest’s Europa League quarter-final first leg at Porto, his first senior involvement in almost six months.

According to Nottingham Post, the New Zealand striker has travelled to the Estadio do Dragao and could be named in Vitor Pereira’s squad.

Wood has been out since October with a knee injury that required surgery. He has had minutes with the B team and is nearing a senior return.

Pereira said the forward has rejoined full training and is available, but his workload will need to be managed. The head coach views his experience and goalscoring as valuable at this stage.

Defender Jair Cunha has also travelled after missing the last three games with a foot issue sustained against FC Midtjylland at the City Ground. Pereira said the situation is almost resolved, but not in time for this fixture.

Forest resume after the international break refreshed for a European push, while also fighting to secure Premier League status. Pereira stressed the priority is always the next match and that balance is essential.

He wants bravery and intelligence in Porto and again three days later at Aston Villa, so playing time and selection will be managed to maintain intensity and the right mindset.

Source: Nottingham Post