Nottingham Forest lineup vs. Brighton: Predicted XI for FA Cup quarter-final as Chris Wood injury blow confirmed

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo will not have Chris Wood available for Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final with Brighton & Hove Albion following an injury scare.

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, which he quickly played down as an impact injury.

However, Santo confirmed in Thursday's pre-game press conference that Wood would not be given the green light to feature on Saturday, so Taiwo Awoniyi is set to act as the focal point of the attack.

The 27-year-old will 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; Awoniyi

> Click here to see how Brighton could line up for this quarter-final