Nottingham Forest have been hit by the news striker Chris Wood is ruled out for the rest of the season with injury.
The January signing suffered a thigh problem while on duty with New Zealand during the international break. He will now miss the Reds’ remaining 11 games as they battle to retain their Premier League status.
Forest have had to contend with a significant list of absentees in recent months. And they have fitness doubts over Serge Aurier, Andre Ayew, Gustavo Scarpa and Brennan Johnson ahead of Saturday’s crunch clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
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“We’ve had a mixed bag. Chris Wood is out for the season. He’s picked up an injury during the international break,” said head coach Steve Cooper.
“Serge, Andre and Gustavo have picked up some injuries over the break as well. We’re not sure how long they will be out for or what their availability will be for the next few games.
“Taiwo (Awoniyi) and Cheikhou (Kouyate) are back in full training. And obviously Moussa (Niakhate) is back now having played the last game and then making his international debut for Senegal - congratulations to him for that, I know what it means to him.
“It’s a mixed bag on availability. Would I like it to look better? Of course, but it’s just something we have to deal with. We’ll put our focus on the players who are available and who are training ready to play the next game and commit to them guys.”
Johnson had been struggling with a groin issue prior to Forest’s last match against Newcastle United, having been forced off in the defeat at Tottenham Hotspur. He played the full 90 minutes against the Magpies but was not at 100 percent fitness, and he then withdrew from the Wales squad.
“Brennan is not back to full fitness,” Cooper added. “It’s something we are assessing on a daily basis and are having to manage. Like some of the other guys, it’s a little bit inconclusive at the moment, in terms of availability for the next games, with us having three in a week.
“It’s a day by day situation, not just with him but with a few of the boys. That’s pretty normal for this time of the season, after so many games and training sessions; it’s inevitable you pick up some injuries, some niggles and some knocks that can fluctuate day to day. It’s an ongoing process, not just with him but with a few of the lads - but that’s normal for the time of the season.”
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