April return mooted, but 'Chris is working hard to come back as soon as possible'

REPORT CLAIMS REDS STRIKER, WHO HAS BEEN SIDELINED SINCE OCTOBER, NOW JUST WEEKS AWAY FROM RETURNING TO ACTION, BUT PEREIRA IS CAUTIOUS OVER A TIME FRAME

- By SARAH CLAPSON

HEAD coach Vitor Pereira hopes there will be a much-needed injury boost for Nottingham Forest heading into the final stretch of the season.

Sidelined since October with a knee problem, striker Chris Wood has been sorely missed by the Reds. The 34-year-old was the club's top scorer last term and Forest have struggled for goals in his absence.

Putting an exact timeframe on his return is understood to be difficult, but a report by the New Zealand Herald has suggested Wood could be in line for an April come back. Pereira, however, is keen to remain cautious over the front man's recovery.

"I hope he will recover as soon as possible because he is very important for us," the Portuguese said. "I don't know exactly when he can return. The information I have is he is working hard to come back as soon as possible."