Newcastle United seal £15m summer transfer as manager confirms season-ending injury

Nottingham Forest have confirmed Chris Wood will miss the remainder of the 2022-23 Premier League season through injury.

The 31-year-old picked up a thigh problem during a 3-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur before the international break but still linked with New Zealand for their two friendlies against China.

Wood did not feature in either game, and Forest boss Steve Cooper has now confirmed the striker’s campaign is over after sustaining a new injury in training.

“Chris Wood is out for the season,” Cooper said. “He’s picked up an injury during the international break.”

The former Leeds United striker moved to the City Ground in January on a loan with an obligation to buy deal. The permanent transfer, worth £15million, was triggered when Wood made his third start for Forest at Fulham in February.

Eddie Howe wanted to keep Wood, who the Magpies signed from Burnley for £20m 12 months earlier, on Tyneside but respected his wishes to pursue the move. Since leaving, Wood has scored once - a late equaliser against Manchester City - in seven appearances.

“It was very tough [to leave Newcastle], it was a tough decision because of where the project is heading,” said Wood. “The friendships I had grown with the players there, that dressing room is special, it’s progressing and becoming one of the best dressing rooms I’ve been part of.

“I wanted to play at the highest level as long as possible and coming here [to Forest] gave me a chance to do that. It was one of the biggest turning points. I am thinking long-term, I’ve seen the project they want to do. First I have to win over the fans, and get them to fall in love, which would be nice.

“There are some great players here and yes, I’m looking long-term and hoping this loan move will turn into a permanent and with any luck it should do.”

Wood, signed to help keep Forest in the Premier League, will watch on from the sidelines. Cooper’s side sit two points above the relegation zone following their 2-1 defeat to Newcastle last time out.

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