Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira has been speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham before Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final first leg against Porto at Estadio Do Dragao (kick-off 20:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his discussion with Colin Fray:
Pereira said Chris Wood is back in training after six months out, adding: “He is working with the team. I hope he can help us in the games we need to face. My experience with this kind of injury, we cannot expect 90 minutes and 90 minutes and 90 minutes. I need to manage him in the proper way.”
The Forest boss said time off from fixtures has allowed them to "recover small injuries". Jair Cunha is "in the last days to recover totally" but Pereira thinks Nicol Savona is out for the remainder of the season.
On facing Porto Pereira warned his side "need to be focused in every second" with a "mentality to compete for every ball".
Pereira, who managed Porto from 2011 to 2013, said: "Tomorrow will see a fantastic atmosphere for sure. I will be red. I think it's the first time I will be red in the stadium. Tomorrow we come here to prove ourselves. For us and our fantastic supporters, it will be a big challenge."
The Portuguese head coach detailed the challenge of facing Porto, who sit five points clear in the Portuguese top flight: "This time, for Porto, they are doing very well in the league, trying to get the title. It is a moment for the club where they are connected with their supporters. Fenerbahce was more emotional, in a moment where you are not winning the title in their case. Porto is in a different moment, they are hungry for titles."
On having faith in his squad and an ability to rotate for the fixture, he added: "This is the only way to compete in the league and here. Porto is the kind of team they change 10 players for Europa League. The only way to make the players feel they are important in a club, that everyone is important in a club and ready to help the club. We are feeling we can change a player and they will perform because they are ready. We will start with a good team and intention to win the game."
Listen to a special show on Nottingham Forest’s fixture in Portugal
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