Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood has revealed the long-term reality of his recent knee injury, stating he will have to manage the issue for the rest of his life. The 34-year-old New Zealand international made his return in last week's 1-1 Europa League draw against Porto after a six-month absence, a comeback that required surgery in December.

Wood acknowledges the injury is a permanent part of his athletic journey, impacting not just his professional career but his life beyond the pitch. "It's a knee injury, it's going to take years of managing throughout my whole career and when I'm playing with kids, playing golf or doing whatever I do after football," Wood explained. He emphasized the mental challenge, noting the uncertainty of recovery, but maintained his confidence in returning to top form.

His return is timely for Forest, who host Porto in a crucial Europa League quarter-final second leg on Thursday. Beyond the European campaign, Wood's fitness is vital for the club's Premier League survival push and his personal ambition to secure a spot in New Zealand's squad for this summer's World Cup, where the All Whites face a tough Group G.

The path back was not simple. "It wasn't a straightforward injury," Wood said, detailing attempts to avoid surgery before it became necessary. Now, with the procedure behind him, his focus is on consistent management and performance. In a minor squad update, midfielder Elliot Anderson is a doubt for the Porto match after missing training due to personal reasons.