Chris Wood breaks silence after Nottingham Forest injury concerns emerge
Chris Wood appears to have delivered a major clue on social media as Nottingham Forest fans fear that their star has picked up an injury on international duty.
The in-form striker fired home a hat-trick of goals during New Zealand’s 7-0 win over Fiji earlier in the week, but he was substituted after just 54 minutes against New Caledonia on Monday 24 March.
With all three points won against the nation ranked 152nd in the world, the Kiwis secured their spot ahead of the 2026 World Cup, and no player was more excited ahead of the competition next year.
However, those back at The City Ground have grown concerned over the potential for their star strike not to return fully fit, with injury expert Ben Dinnery explaining that Wood will have his hip “assessed” back at Forest.
With 18 goals in 29 appearances in the Premier League this season, the 33-year-old has been incredibly key to Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side, and many are holding their breath until an update emerges.
Chris Wood celebrates as New Zealand qualify for World Cup 2026
Taking to Instagram [24 March], Wood wrote: “Buzzing to be going to a World Cup! Every single person in the group deserves this, as do the All Whites fans. See you in the States.”
Teammates Callum Hudson-Odoi and Elliott Anderson liked the post, as did Everton duo James Tarkowski and Dwight McNeil.
Nuno Espirito Santo to fear for Nottingham Forest setback
Football Insider verdict
The Reds have a real chance of accomplishing something incredible this season, with Champions League qualification now theirs to lose as the likes of Chelsea and Man City battle it out for a top-four finish.
Newcastle United, Brighton, Fulham, Aston Villa and Bournemouth are all fighting for a European spot in the run-in, and with Forest still yet to face Aston Villa, Everton and Chelsea, it could be a tense finish.
| Premier League standings | Points |
| 3. Nottingham Forest | 54 |
| 4. Chelsea | 49 |
| 5. Man City | 48 |
| 6. Newcastle | 47 |
| 7. Brighton | 47 |
| 8. Fulham | 45 |
That will be especially true if Wood faces an extended period on the sidelines over the coming weeks, but given he has featured in all 29 of Forest’s league games so far this term, it is unlikely.
Espirito Santo’s side will be keen to get back to club football, with an FA Cup quarter-final clash against Brighton to prepare for, leaving them with another chance to lift silverware this season.
With Murillo and Morgan Gibbs-White already being linked with Forest exits, there could be just one chance to secure Champions League football and build forward instead of seeing the squad ripped apart this summer.
It has been a truly remarkable campaign for the Reds, and with several matches still yet to be played, the entire club will be keen to stamp their mark in England ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.