Vitor Pereira hopeful on Chris Wood return as Nottingham Forest’s goal woes continue | OneFootball

Vitor Pereira is hopeful Chris Wood can still play a part in Nottingham Forest’s survival fight, Nottingham Post reports.

The New Zealand striker has been out since October after knee surgery, last season’s top scorer has been badly missed. Wood recently said he has been cleared to step up his recovery.

Asked if the 34-year-old could feature again this season, Pereira said: “I hope so. He is recovering. I hope so because he is important for us.”

Summer arrival Igor Jesus has only two Premier League goals, winter addition Lorenzo Lucca has struggled to influence games, and Taiwo Awoniyi was not on the bench for Pereira’s first home match.

Jesus started Pereira’s first two fixtures, scoring in Thursday’s 3-0 play-off first leg win over Fenerbahce in Istanbul. He has seven goals in the Europa League but has not replicated that form domestically. Pereira highlighted different qualities to Wood, praised his display in Istanbul and said he will score goals.

Forest were then beaten 1-0 by Liverpool at the City Ground despite 18 attempts, Alexis Mac Allister struck late. The Reds sit two points above the relegation zone with 11 matches left, and Pereira remains very confident they will stay up if they maintain their mentality, ambition and organisation.

Source: Nottingham Post