Chris Wood plays in black-and-white stripes but he could have a bigger impact on those repping his former club’s colours this weekend. Life has been tough for the New Zealand international since an eyebrow-raising £25million move in January.
His arrival coincided with a nine-game unbeaten run which, ultimately, laid the foundations for Newcastle United to comfortably secure Premier League survival. However, a barren spell in front of goal has seen Wood net just twice in 16 appearances - and only once from open play.
Nevertheless, his selfless team play and work rate during the Magpies’ resurgence is regarded as justification for the inflated fee Toon chiefs stumped up in their hour of desperation. How his two former clubs - Burnley and Leeds United - would love to be in Newcastle’s situation.
It could be written in the stars for Wood to have the final say on the relegation battle given the two clubs who are battling the drop. The 30-year-old joined Leeds in 2015 for around £3million and immediately made his mark - bagging 13 goals in a mid-table Whites side before bagging 27 a year later to pip Dwight Gayle to the Golden Boot award.
Chris Wood goal record
Narrowly missing out on a play-off place meant Burnley snapped him up the following summer and he continued to score goals at a higher level. In four seasons, Wood has netted: 10, 12, 14 and 12 to become an established top-flight striker. An underwhelming campaign in 2021-22 - with the Kiwi scoring just three times - raises questions over his long-term future on Tyneside.
But for now, his Premier League importance is immense.
Leeds were haunted by a former flame a fortnight ago when Eddie Nketiah bagged a brace for Arsenal in their 2-1 victory. Burnley fans may have laughed at their expense, but karma is a dish best served cold and there will be none as frosty as the one served up on Sunday if Wood were to score a dramatic winner.
Kieran Trippier, too, is a former Burnley protege and his deliveries from out wide could be the key to unlocking the target man’s unrealised potential. The fit-again right-back adds a unique dimension to the Magpies’ attack from crosses and set-pieces.
Having a teammate he knows can highlight his strengths will only boost Wood’s confidence ahead of a massive clash at Turf Moor. The pressure is off for Eddie Howe’s men - an amazing feat considering where the club were three months ago.
And, astonishingly, Wood is responsible for his former club’s fate more than ever on Sunday despite wearing rival colours.
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