Nottingham Forest hopeful Chris Wood could return in April after knee surgery | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest are cautiously hopeful Chris Wood could feature in April as he nears the end of his recovery from knee surgery.

According to NY Times, the 34-year-old might be involved in the run-in if he suffers no further setbacks. He has been sidelined since October after a knee problem that required Christmas surgery.

Wood’s last outing was a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea, which proved to be Ange Postecoglou’s final game in charge. He did not feature under Sean Dyche. A return would lift head coach Vitor Pereira, with last season’s 20-goal scorer back in the fold.

He is New Zealand’s record scorer with 45 goals, including nine in their successful World Cup qualifying campaign ahead of this summer’s tournament.

Forest have appointed former Tottenham Hotspur head of medicine and sports science Geoff Scott, expected to become head of performance, to address injuries. Scott spent two decades at Tottenham before leaving during Postecoglou’s tenure. Ola Aina, injured on international duty, returned in January from a hamstring problem.

Forest host Burnley on 18 April at the City Ground, then visit Sunderland and Chelsea, face Newcastle United at home, travel to Manchester United, and finish against Bournemouth as they aim to avoid the relegation zone.

Pereira said he hopes Wood recovers as soon as possible and stressed his importance, but he does not know exactly when the striker can return, speaking before Sunday’s trip to Brighton & Hove Albion. He added that Wood is working hard to be fit.

Goalkeeper Stefan Ortega picked up a minor calf issue in the 2-1 defeat to Fenerbahce, though Forest advanced to the last 16 with a 4-2 aggregate win last night. On Thursday they drew FC Midtjylland in the next round.

The former Manchester City player will be assessed, while first-choice Matz Sels is expected to return to training on Monday after a groin problem. Angus Gunn, who has one substitute appearance since arriving from Norwich last summer, would be the logical deputy.

Source: NY Times