Brightonvs.Nott'm Forest

The New Zealand international was forced off early in Monday's 3-0 World Cup 2026 Qualifying win over New Caledonia due to a blow to his hip, although Forest do not believe that it is anything severe.

Fans are waiting with bated breath to hear the latest updates from Santo, but Wood seemingly has a strong chance of making the cut on Saturday, where the 33-year-old could make his first FA Cup start of the season.

Santo has trusted Taiwo Awoniyi from the off in the competition so far, but with a semi-final place on the line in a tough away trip, Wood will surely get the nod if he is deemed fit enough.

The 33-year-old would no doubt be supported by the recognisable trio of Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga, the latter of whom bagged his first Forest brace in their 4-2 beating of Ipswich Town last time out.

Elliot Anderson and Nicolas Dominguez are also primed to start in a first-choice midfield partnership, while Ola Aina and Neco Williams should operate in the full-back slots as ever.

Morato was among the second-string players to enjoy a start in the last-16 win over Ipswich, but Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo should form their formidable pairing in front of Matz Sels here.

Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:

Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Anderson, Dominguez; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood

Written by

Ben Knapton