Vitor Pereira now has the blueprint to spark Chris Wood back to life at Nottingham Forest

Chris Wood will still be hoping to return to his very best in 2026-27 after an injury-plagued campaign at Nottingham Forest.

Despite making just 20 appearances throughout the 2025-26 campaign, the 34-year-old managed to notch five goals, popping up with some very important moments.

He remains Vitor Pereira's most experienced, most reliable forward at the City Ground, but due to his age and injury concerns, there are whispers about his future this summer.

Igor Jesus absolutely deserves a chance to thrive, but with another year left on his contract, it wouldn't be a surprise at all to see Wood as the starting striker next term.

Of course, the New Zealand international will need as much rest as possible, and that will be up to owner Evangelos Marinakis to get deals done over the coming months.

Something might have to change, though. When he was fully fit in 2025-26, he could look lost on the pitch at times, and Pereira can't afford to have a passenger at the City Ground.

Wood is clearly nowhere near finished in his career, that's for sure. The veteran is still a starter on the international stage, and rightly so.

In the Kiwis' 2026 World Cup opener against Iran on Tuesday, 16 June, Wood was instrumental during a 2-2 draw at the Los Angeles Stadium.

Staying on the pitch for the entire 90 minutes, the centre-forward grabbed two assists, creating four chances, the most of anyone on the pitch, as well as unleashing four shots [FotMob].

New Zealand really tried to use the Forest man for link-up play, which he isn't often appreciated for. Normally, his role is to get in the box as a poacher and fire the ball home.

Pereira may just take a leaf out of Darren Bazeley's book, who has discovered a new strength to Wood's game. That simply has to be utilised at club level next season.

The Reds are one of the many clubs interested in Hayden Hackney, who could now be available for a bargain after Middlesbrough missed out of promotion to the Premier League.

Everton and Crystal Palace have both already tried for his signature, but if Marinakis is serious about reinforcing the current squad, Forest need to move to the front of the queue.

For chances created, Hackney finished third out of all players in the 2025-26 Championship campaign, but only grabbed seven assists. Was he a target man?

The 23-year-old also loves a late run into the penalty area, and if Wood's connection with Elijah Just is anything to go by, the duo would have an incredible link-up at the City Ground.