Three Forest players forced off against Porto ahead of Burnley clash as injuries mar European triumph
Nottingham Forest have reached their first European semi-final in over 40 years, securing a monumental 2-1 aggregate victory over Porto to book an all-English Europa League clash with Aston Villa.
Yet, their qualification to the semi-finals of the competition has been marred by the injuries of Chris Wood, Murillo and Callum Hudson-Odoi, all of whom were forced off during the second leg against the Portuguese side.
The East Midlands club reached the last four of a continental competition for the first time since 1984 on a poignant night at the City Ground.
Morgan Gibbs-White proved the hero on the night, netting the only goal of the second leg to dispatch a 10-man Porto side that saw Jan Bednarek sent off following a heavy challenge on Wood.
However, the euphoria of the European progression has been tempered by a mounting injury crisis ahead of Sunday’s critical Premier League fixture against Burnley.
Forest currently sit just three points above the relegation zone and the physical toll of Thursday’s encounter was evident as three players were subbed off prematurely.
Wood, Murillo and Hudson-Odoi all limped from the field during the second half, leaving Vitor Pereira with significant selection headaches for a match that could define the club’s top-flight survival.
Vítor. ❤️
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) April 16, 2026
Mixed news for Pereira as Hudson-Odoi faces layoff
Following the match, the Forest coach provided a detailed update on the fitness of his squad, offering a blend of optimism and concern.
While Chris Wood sustained a heavy bruise to his knee during the incident that led to Bednarek’s dismissal, and Murillo suffered a physical knock, both are expected to recover in time for the weekend.
“I’m not a doctor but I think Chris and Murillo will not be anything special,” Pereira explained during his post-match press conference.
“Of course, Chris has a bruise on his knee but I believe that him and Murillo will be ready for Burnley.”
The prognosis for Callum Hudson-Odoi was considerably more severe. The Forest winger was seen leaving the stadium on crutches after clutching his thigh late in the game.
Pereira confirmed that the former Chelsea man has sustained a muscle injury that will certainly rule him out of the immediate schedule.
“Callum has a muscle injury and it is not possible, that’s the bad news,” he admitted.
With the first leg against Aston Villa looming in late April, the club’s medical team will be working around the clock to assess the full extent of the damage.
The scheduling offers little respite for a Forest side that must now pivot from the glamour of a European semi-final to the grit of a relegation six-pointer against 19th-placed Burnley.
