Chris Wood ready to take Nottingham Forest to next level as new footage emerges
Chris Wood's fitness levels are clearly being managed at Nottingham Forest this season, but it's time to take the chains off.
The 34-year-old has yet to start in the Premier League in 2026-27, only being given the nod for Forest's 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat to Leeds United.
His lack of minutes is understandable, given that he missed much of the previous campaign through injury, but still managed to score five goals.
Oliver Glasner has Igor Jesus, Liam Delap, Dan Ndoye and Arnaud Kalimuendo all at his disposal, but none of them share the same wealth of knowledge and experience as Wood.
Sadly, the veteran centre-forward hasn't been given the chance to reproduce his numbers from the 2024-25 campaign, until now.
The Reds will face Crystal Palace on Sunday, 11 October, once the Premier League resumes, and they will be desperate for all three points on the road.
Chris Wood stars away from Nottingham Forest
Despite struggling for minutes at the City Ground, Wood is clearly still trusted on the international stage, featuring in New Zealand's defeat to Japan on Monday, 5 October.
In fact, he played the first 68 minutes of the 2-1 loss at the MUFG Stadium, leaving with an assist to his name after some brilliant hold-up play.
The Japanese defenders were totally lost in what to do against his strength and vision, as he passed the ball off to Benjamin Old, who fired home.
Back at the City Ground, Glasner could even deploy him at one of the No.10s, alongside Morgan Gibbs-White, with Delap through the middle.
Wood to continue his fine form vs Crystal Palace
Of course, Forest's clash against Palace has multiple layers to it, not least because of the figure in the away team's dugout (Glasner).
Wood has a pretty decent record against the Eagles as well, and he'll be hoping to continue his unbeaten streak against them in Red.
He even has two goals in five games, including an incredibly deft header at the City Ground during the 2023-24 season.
Glasner would be making a huge decision by starting Wood, obviously, but Forest need to start climbing the table after a mixed start to the season.