Wood, the Nottingham Forest striker, has been sidelined since mid-October due to an unsuccessful recovery from a knee injury. The 34-year-old underwent an operation in hopes of resolving the issue, marking a disappointing turn in his season.
Last season, Wood was in top form, scoring a club-record 20 goals for Forest and helping them secure a spot in European competition. However, this season has been marred by injuries, with Wood playing only nine games before getting injured against Chelsea on October 18.
The specifics of Wood’s injury and the timing of his surgery remain unclear. He has been spotted wearing a knee brace while spectating recent Forest matches.
Wood took to Instagram from his hospital bed to share an update on his situation. “The Christmas I didn’t expect, you can never know what football throws at you,” he wrote. “Truly gutting and frustrating that I’ll be on the sideline for another period of time. It’s what’s needed to come back stronger and better to help my teammates do the job needed in the Premier League and in Europe.”
Forest manager Sean Dyche confirmed that the operation went well but refrained from providing a specific timeline for Wood’s return. “It is a version of a cartilage op. It certainly won’t be days, obviously. We are hoping it will be weeks. We will have to wait and see how it settles,” Dyche explained.
Without Wood’s goal-scoring prowess, Forest has struggled this season, winning only five out of 18 games. Their recent 2-1 loss to Manchester City leaves them in 17th place, just five points above the relegation zone.
The All Whites are gearing up for the Fifa World Cup in June, with their next fixtures scheduled for late March. Wood’s absence will undoubtedly be felt as the team prepares for the international tournament.
