New Zealand manager Darren Bazeley has provided a fresh injury update on Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood.
The 31-year-old has been missing for the last few weeks with a hamstring injury, before returning on Sunday against West Ham.
Wood has since been called up to the New Zealand squad to face Ireland and Greece during this international break.
However, boss Bazeley has admitted that he doesn’t think Wood will start against Greece but could feature from the bench.
READ: National media deliver verdict on performance of Forest star Orel Mangala
Bazeley on Chris Wood’s fitness
Speaking to the press last night, the New Zealand boss was confident the 31-year-old would feature during the international break.
“He has progressed really well, it was always this sort of timeframe. He is really positive; the club is really positive that he is heading in the right direction to be fit.
“He thinks he will be fine to be there, to be involved, though he will be on limited minutes.
“Woodsy is desperate to be involved as always but the main thing is that we wouldn’t risk him. If we get close to the game and he is not right, then we won’t use him.”
Hopeful of no injury setback
With Wood going away with his nation, there is a huge risk that the striker could suffer a reoccurrence of the hamstring problem that ruled him out within the last few weeks.
Taiwo Awoniyi has returned to action but still isn’t 100% – with the Nigerian also going away on international duty this month.
However, it could hold the striker in good stead should he get valuable game time under his bet for New Zealand, it could allow him to hit the ground running upon his return to Forest in a couple of weeks.
Receive a digest of our best Nottingham Forest content each week direct to your mailbox
