The 33-year-old striker, who has been in stellar form with 18 goals this campaign under Nuno Espirito Santo, might now face a significant period on the sidelines, potentially jeopardizing Forest's push for a Champions League spot next season. Wood sustained what appeared to be a hip injury during the match against New Caledonia and was forced to leave the field with a noticeable limp.
At the time of his substitution, the match was tied 0-0. Wood had taken a knock earlier in the game and attempted to continue playing, but soon it became evident that he could not carry on.
Despite trying to jog off the pitch, he visibly struggled with each step and was replaced by Kostas Barbarouses in the 58th minute under the instructions of head coach Darren Bazeley.
While the full extent of Wood's injury is yet to be confirmed, it could be a major setback for both New Zealand and Nottingham Forest.
The striker has been in superb form recently, scoring nine goals in his last five international matches, including a hat-trick against Fiji in his most recent appearance. Wood is also New Zealand's all-time top scorer with 44 goals in 83 appearances.
Despite his departure, New Zealand seemed to rally and quickly took control of the match. Just seven minutes after Wood's substitution, Michael Boxall gave them the lead. Barbarouses, who replaced Wood, extended the advantage with a second goal in the 66th minute.
While New Zealand will be pleased with the result despite the loss of Wood, Forest are now left in suspense, eagerly awaiting updates on the severity of his injury.
Forest have a crucial stretch ahead, with an FA Cup quarter-final clash against Brighton this Saturday, followed by a high-stakes encounter with Manchester United at the City Ground on April 1. The team has been one of the season's surprises, consistently holding their ground in the top four, and currently sit in third place with 54 points, five points clear of sixth-placed Newcastle United.
Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly slapped a hefty price tag on their dynamic right-back Pedro Porro as interest from Barcelona, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich intensifies, signaling a potential summer transfer showdown.
Chelsea are on the cusp of securing a coveted Champions League spot, with their fate hinging on crucial upcoming matches.
Newcastle United delivered a statement of intent in the Champions League race, outclassing top-five rivals Chelsea 2-0 in a clash that lived up to its billing.
Portuguese defender Diogo Leite is expected to be on the move this summer, with strong interest emerging from both the Premier League and Serie A.
