Wood: "I'd like to thank Northampton Saints and Northampton General Hospital for taking such good care of me. Considering the added challenges of Covid, the speed and quality of diagnosis and treatment was incredible."
Tuesday 4 August 2020 15:34, UK
Northampton have revealed that England international Tom Wood has been recovering from a pulmonary embolism but could still feature in the 2019/20 season.
Saints initially said the 33-year-old flanker would miss the remainder of the interrupted campaign when they signed Jamie Gibson as cover on a short-term deal last month.
At the time no reason for Wood's absence was given, but the club have now said he was diagnosed with the lung condition in July.
However, he was treated promptly and has just been cleared to return to non-contact training, suggesting he could yet have a part to play this term.
Saints, who are fourth in the Gallagher Premiership, restart their season at home to Wasps on August 16.
Wood thanked Saints and staff at Northampton General Hospital for ensuring a lung condition that could have proved very serious was quickly treated.
"Thank you to everyone for the kind messages in relation to my little health blip," tweeted Wood.
"It was a strange/uncomfortable couple of days but I'm completely symptom free and training hard again now after passing a full MOT.
"I'm unable to play though until I'm off blood thinners.
"I'd like to add a huge thanks to Northampton Saints and Northampton General Hospital for taking such good care of me.
"Considering the added challenges of Covid the speed and quality of diagnosis and treatment was incredible. I'm very grateful."
