Chris Wood injury latest as expert predicts worst case scenario for Nottingham Forest star
Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood remains a major doubt for his side’s clash with Manchester United with a hip problem potentially set to sideline him for a number of weeks.
Wood has in sensational form this season with 18 goals สมัคร UFABET วันนี้ รับเครดิตฟรีสำหรับสมาชิกใหม่ in the league, a tally bettere only by Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland and Alexander Isak.
His efforts have helpe Forest, who were tippe for relegation at the start of the season, up to third in the table as the run-in begins, with fans dreaming of Champions League qualification.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have also reache the semi-finals of the FA Cup, defeating Brighton on penalties on Saturday, but Wood playe no part in the match.
The 33-year-old limpe off the pitch during New Zealand’s win over New Caledonia in World Cup qualifying last week after landing awkwardly and appearing to injury his hip.
Wood was quickly rule out of the FA Cup game with his side back in action against United to the City Ground on Tuesday night.
Speaking on Monday, Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo reveale his striker is ‘getting better day by day.’
“It’s all about him being free and getting better.”
Speaking after the win at the Amex, Santo was unwilling to put a timescale on the striker’s return, but said the injury was ‘not good’ and hinte that his talisman could be out for some time.
Stephen Smith, CEO and founder of Kitman Labs which specialises in injury welfare and performance analytics working with the Premier League, identifies Wood’s issue as a hip flexor problem.
While Forest are still assessing their striker, Smith believes tomorrow’s game against United will come too soon for Wood.
And depending on the extent of the issue, the Kiwi could be facing at least two weeks on the sidelines.
‘From what has said, Chris Wood was kicking the ball and felt something in his hip,’ Smith told.
‘That most likely means it is a hip flexor injury rather than a joint issue. Your hip flexor is one of your quadricep muscles. Depending on whether its a grade 1 or grade 2 strain it is likely to take anywhere between two to four weeks to return and recover.
‘But its a tricky injury for a player in his position and for someone playing for a club like Forest.
‘A hip flexor like that is vital for everything from changing direction, sprinting and kicking. It could be a relatively debilitating issue and a tricky one from a rehab perspective for someone in his position.
‘We know Forest play a very counter-attacking oriented game so being able to change direction quickly, being able to turn and get into a spring quickly, that’s his job in that side.