Nottingham Forest's failed striker transfer search addressed as Chris Wood point made

Chris Wood celebrates scoring for Nottingham Forest against Wolverhampton Wanderers
-Credit: (Image: Getty)


Nuno Espirito Santo will resist any temptation to wrap Chris Wood up in cotton wool after Nottingham Forest’s failure to sign a striker in the summer transfer window.

There is no doubt about Wood’s importance to the Reds, particularly as Taiwo Awoniyi is still building up his fitness after missing a chunk of pre-season. The New Zealander has been in the starting XI for each of the opening three Premier League games and already has two goals to his name.

Forest did try to bolster their options up front before the window closed with the likes of Eddie Nketiah, Santiago Gimenez and Omar Marmoush all on their radar. However, the August 30 cut-off came and went without a forward added.

Nuno insists there is no disappointment at missing out on a front man. And despite limited cover, he is confident the Reds do not need to protect Wood.

"No, we don’t have to do that,” the Portuguese said. “Chris is a competitor, he is ready to play. What we have to do is manage him before and after the games, but he is always available.

"We know and trust who we have, and we have solutions. It's up to us to develop these versatile players I think can do these positions.

"In the transfer window we were looking for many options that could help us. The main thing was we looked for someone who could improve us and someone who wanted to be with us. These two things are very important.

"There was no disappointment (at not signing a striker) at all. The main objective was to keep the players we wanted to keep - this is something which is good for us in the development of the squad and afterwards knowing we have solutions. To believe in them, trust them and to develop them."

The Reds will make a check on Wood ahead of Saturday’s clash with Liverpool at Anfield (3pm kick-off). The 32-year-old covered a lot of miles during the international break representing New Zealand in the United States - jet-lag and fatigue could be an issue.

Nuno has already said wingers Ramon Sosa and Jota Silva could provide alternative options up front further down the line. Silva has played there before, but both are still adapting to English football and the Forest boss is keen for them to find their feet in their more natural positions first.

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