Injury scare for Wood
New Zealand striker Chris Wood was forced from the field with a hamstring injury during Burnley’s 3-0 loss to Manchester City in the English Premier League.
The 25-year-old left the field in the 20th minute, but Burnley manager Sean Dyche was remaining optimistic that the injury would not have Wood sidelined for too long.
‘‘We are hopeful it isn’t serious,’’ he said after the match. ’’He was feeling it so we thought right, we have to make that decision.’’
The All Whites will be just as hopeful as Dyche. Their World Cup playoff against Peru is just three weeks away and without Wood, their chances of an upset would be drastically reduced.
Wood’s injury comes just one day after defender Winston Reid went down with a head-knock during West Ham’s loss to Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.
Reid left the field, but returned shortly after.
But it was less positive at Etihad Stadium yesterday.
Wood required attention after a going down after when Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson bravely plucked the ball from his feet in one of Burnley’s best attacking movements of the match in the 15th minute.
He continued playing, but went down again four minutes later.
Manchester City broke the deadlock with a controversial penalty in the 30th minute to Sergio Aguero.
Nicolas Otamendi and Leroy Sane netted goals in the second half to secure the comfortable win.