Newcastle United have played down reports linking striker Chris Wood with a return to Leeds United, according to Chronicle Live. This comes after reports at the weekend suggested Leeds are weighing up a January bid for Wood as they look to add another body to their front line.
Football Insider claim that Leeds will look to ease the pressure on top-scorer Rodrigo by entering the loan market and making a temporary move for Wood. Patrick Bamford's injury struggles mean the addition of a forward could significantly bolster survival hopes.
Wood scored an impressive 44 goals across a two-year spell at the Whites before departing for the Premier League and Burnley in 2017. Having become a proven top-flight striker, he signed for Newcastle United in a £25 million January deal.
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The 30-year-old has scored just four goals across 33 matches in all competitions since his move from Turf Moor and has slipped down the pecking order this season following Alexander Isak's mega-money arrival and the impressive form of Callum Wilson. That said, Newcastle's two first-choice strikers have also struggled with fitness at various points this season.
Wilson missed four matches in a row earlier in the campaign due to a hamstring injury, while Isak has played just three times since his move from Real Sociedad due to a thigh problem that is continuing to plague him. A departure for Wood could therefore leave them short in the attacking department and it is for that reason that Newcastle are unlikely to entertain a deal, particularly on loan.
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