The Forum is back. Yay. Well done Nik.
Chris Wood plays a football game. Double Yay.
https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2026/03/21/all-whites-captain-chris-wood-scores-in-his-first-game-for-five-months/
New Zealand striker Chris Wood has made a surprise return to the pitch, scoring a goal in his first competitive match since injuring his knee in October.
Chris Wood plays a football game. Double Yay.
https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2026/03/21/all-whites-captain-chris-wood-scores-in-his-first-game-for-five-months/
New Zealand striker Chris Wood has made a surprise return to the pitch, scoring a goal in his first competitive match since injuring his knee in October.
Wood made his return playing for Nottingham Forest’s reserves in their 3-0 win against Newcastle United U-21s at Loughborough University Stadium on Saturday (NZT).
Starting up front for Forest, Wood put his side ahead against his former club with a close-range header after he met a James Sinclair cross in the 11th minute.
Wood played 45 minutes before being replaced at half-time.
The appearance by Wood backs up speculation that the 88-cap All White could soon return to Forest’s first team to help them in their battle to avoid relegation from the English Premier League.
Wood has been working outdoors recently but has yet to rejoin the squad in full training sessions.
Manager Vitor Pereira is keen for Wood to return to match fitness.
‘I don’t want to push him up, but I think he will be able to help us in the last few games of the season. He is important for the group because he has quality. He scores goals, and he has the personality to help us,” Pereira said.
“I really hope we can have him for the last games because he’s an important player.’