Nuno Espirito Santo pinpoints star who can help Nottingham Forest beat the drop as Tottenham returns looms

Nuno Espirito Santo is banking on Chris Wood to maintain his goal-scoring form and help Nottingham Forest in their Premier League survival battle.

The striker has netted nine times in the last 12 games, a streak that's been crucial for Forest, particularly during Taiwo Awoniyi's injury spell.

Speaking ahead of his return to Tottenham with Forest on Sunday, Espirito Santo highlighted Wood's significance: «He has been very important for us, especially with the absence of Taiwo with the needs we have in that position.»

He praised Wood's recent performances, saying, «He has been performing well and hopefully it keeps like that because we need not only Chris Wood but all of the players.»

Wood's contributions go beyond just goals, as Nuno pointed out: «He is in a good moment not only scoring goals, but having good involvement in the team.»

The manager also noted the importance of Wood's ability to connect play: «It is very important the way he links the spaces. He is doing well, so let's hope that keeps going.»

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The Forest attack has recently featured Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga on the wings with Morgan Gibbs-White in support, a combination that proved effective in their 3-1 victory over Fulham. However, Espirito Santo remains non-committal about settling on a preferred starting line-up, reflecting on the unpredictable nature of football: «What I have learned from football is that you can never think you've got what it takes because you always have ups and downs,» he said.

«Nothing says 'this is the best' or 'this is what the team