Chris Wood will be sidelined for the rest of Nottingham Forest’s fight for Premier League survival – but Taiwo Awoniyi has returned from injury to bolster Steve Cooper’s attacking options.
New Zealand striker Wood suffered a thigh injury while away on international duty and has already undergone surgery to repair the problem. He is not expected to return until pre-season is underway.
It is not a repeat of the thigh injury he suffered at Tottenham, when he suffered a huge swelling on his leg.
But while Forest will be without £15million forward Wood for the run-in, they are boosted by the return of £17m striker Awoniyi, who could feature against Wolves this weekend.
Awoniyi – who had scored four goals in nine starts and seven sub appearances, since joining from Union Berlin – had not played since early January. Midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate is also back in full training following his hamstring injury.
But Forest’s attacking options have also been diminished by a curious injury suffered by Andre Ayew, who slipped while walking to the dressing room while on international duty with Ghana, twisting his knee in the process.
Serge Aurier, Gustavo Scarpa and Ryan Yates also remain doubts for the visit of Wolves.
“We have had a mixed bag during the break. Chris Wood is out for the season, having picked up an injury during the international break,” said Cooper. “Serge (Aurier), Andre (Ayew) and Gustavo Scarpa all have knocks and we are not sure over their availability for the next games.
“Would I like the situation to look better? Yes, of course. But it is something we just have to deal with. We have to focus on the players who are ready to play in the next game and commit to them.
“Taiwo would have been key anyway, because when he got injured it came at a time when he was really starting to show his worth. He was in a good run of form in terms of performances – and scored against Southampton in the game he got injured in.
“But he is back now, he looks sharp, motivated and excited to be involved again. We will have to be careful with him, but it is good to have him back involved.”
Brennan Johnson was also withdrawn from international duty with Wales because of a groin problem.
“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,” said Cooper.
“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, it’s inevitable you pick up some injuries, some niggles and some knocks.”
