Chris Wood Returns to Nottingham Forest Squad After Six-Month Injury Layoff for Europa League Quarter-Final

Striker Chris Wood is back in the Nottingham Forest squad for the Europa League quarter-final in Porto after a six-month injury layoff and knee surgery.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 9, 2026, 6:44 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from BBC Sport and VAVEL

Strike Force Boosted for European Milestone

Nottingham Forest’s attacking options have received a significant reinforcement ahead of their first European quarter-final in 42 years. Chris Wood has been named in the traveling squad to face FC Porto at the Estádio do Dragão on Thursday night, ending a lengthy rehabilitation period that began in October. Wood’s return comes at a critical juncture for the "Tricky Trees," who are attempting to translate their recent 3-0 Premier League victory over Tottenham Hotspur into European momentum. Manager Vítor Pereira confirmed during Wednesday’s pre-match press conference in Porto that while the striker’s physical load will need careful management, he is "available to be in the game" after training fully with the senior team.

Recovery Timeline and Surgical Intervention

The New Zealand captain has endured a frustrating campaign, limited to only eight league appearances due to a persistent knee injury suffered on October 18 during a loss to Chelsea. Following a period of conservative treatment that failed to yield results, Wood underwent surgery in late December 2025, a setback he described at the time as a "bitter end" to a calendar year. His return to the first-team fold was preceded by two successful outings for Forest’s Under-21 side, including a scoring appearance in a 3-0 victory over Newcastle’s youth team last month. His recovery is also seen as a massive boost for his national side, the All Whites, ahead of their 2026 World Cup group stage matches against Belgium, Egypt, and Iran this June.

Managerial Transitions During Absence

Wood’s six-month absence coincided with a period of significant upheaval in the Nottingham Forest dugout. The striker last featured for the senior team when Ange Postecoglou was still at the helm. He missed the entirety of Sean Dyche’s 114-day tenure, which began after Postecoglou’s departure, and remained sidelined through the appointment of Vítor Pereira in February 2026. Pereira, a former Porto head coach who won two league titles with the Portuguese giants, expressed his personal emotion at returning to his former club while emphasizing the practical necessity of having Wood’s experience available for a high-stakes continental fixture.