New Zealand captain Chris Wood is nearing a return to top-level football after making his third appearance for Nottingham Forest’s reserve team in a fortnight.
Wood (34) played an hour for Forest’s B team against Crystal Palace’s U-21 side on Saturday (NZT), starting as a lone striker in a 5-4-1 formation in the 2-0 loss.
This followed a 60-minute appearance for the B side in a behind-closed-doors friendly against League One side Northampton Town in late March, and a 45-minute runout against Newcastle United U-21s.
Main photo: Chris Wood arrives at Forest’s training ground.
The three games were key tests of Wood’s fitness after a lengthy lay-off following surgery on his left knee in December.
UK media reports say the All Whites striker could make his first-team return either against Portuguese club Porto in Friday’s Europa League tie, or in Forest’s next English Premier League fixture, at home to Aston Villa.
Wood has not played top-level football since October 18, 2025, missing 23 Premier League matches and 10 Europa League games since.
Forest have struggled for goals without Wood and are currently 16th in the 20-team Premier League, three points above the relegation zone.
Fixtures
Game to be played on Friday April 10, 2026 (NZT)
Europa League
Quarter-final, first leg
Porto v Nottingham Forest
Estádio do Dragão, Porto, 7am (NZT
Game to be played on Monday April 13, 2026 (NZT)
English Premier League
Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa
City Ground, Nottingham, 1am (NZT)
This story was first published on April 5, 2026.