The 12-minute Chris Wood mission that showed why…

The 12-minute Chris Wood mission that showed why £25million man has plenty to offer Newcastle United

Chris Wood says that the team comes first ahead of any player's own personal situation at Newcastle United.

Wood is only interested in putting his body on the line for the black and white cause this season - and is hungry for success in the league and cup this term. The former Leeds star's goal obviously got the headlines but the coaching team will have duly noted his aerial wins, tackles and blocked shots as the game got scrappier late on.

The £25million striker - who has four goals for the Toon - has had to wait for his chance with Callum Wilson one of the most in-form strikers in the country. But rather than sulk, Wood has got his head down and worked hard while also waiting patiently for his opportunity.

And when that opportunity knocked he took just 12 minutes to make an impact in the 4-1 win at Southampton. His goal proved to be the killer moment which drained the life out of the Saints and set Newcastle up for a crucial win.

In fairness to former Burnley man Wood, he has only had dribs and drabs and the clash on the South Coast was the longest he'd been on the field since August in the Premier League. His only other 90 minute outing came at Tranmere in the cup when he notched at Prenton Park.

Wood typified the teams spirit that Eddie Howe has instilled on Tyneside and told Chronicle Live: "It's nice to continue our unbeaten run first and foremost. "To continue the progress the team is making, that's what it's all about, it's nice.

"I'm at a club with a great squad and a great team. You are always going to have competition at a big club and that's exactly what we've got. We have some great strikers here. I've just got to keep trying to push and work hard and see if I can break my way into the team.

"But I know I also have to take my chance when it comes my way. It was nice to get on the pitch for a decent amount of time and it's always nice to get a goal."

Wood must have had good vibes heading to St Mary's yesterday after scoring in the 2-1 win against the Saints last term. On Sunday it was the same ground, same end and same ecstatic celebrations.

He said: "It's very nice to get another one at Southampton. But I'm just hoping to score more goals this season and contribute to this squad and team and hopefully where we are heading."

Wood could now be in for another slice of the action in the League Cup against Crystal Palace in midweek. It's another encounter he goes into with goal goalscoring vibes after netting away to Tranmere Rovers in the last round.

The New Zealand striker said: "There will be a lot of us boys playing in midweek, it's one of those where the boys haven't played for a long period of time. We want to be playing games and showing what we can do. It will be nice to be back playing games and good to be part of. Confidence is flowing at the moment and everybody is happy and moving in the right direction. Everybody is happy."

United players, whether they feature or not, have soaked in the celebrations with fans after each win this season. But the striker says Newcastle don't dine out on victories for too long these days and quickly move on.

Wood said: "100% you have to. "You enjoy it on the day, and then we come back in and focus to go again. We want a cup run and a good league season too."

Wood is aiming to keep up his record of scoring in the League Cup against the Eagles on Wednesday in front of a sell out crowd. When asked if attempting to get a goal in each round appeals, he said: "That's what I'm here for and that's what I am going to try to do. "It's one of those where we have a good enough and big enough squad to focus on league and cup.

"We want to get a cup run going. "It'll be a tough one against Palace at home but we've done it before so I don't know why you wouldn't do it again."

The 12-minute Chris Wood mission that showed why £25million man has plenty to offer Newcastle United

READ NEXT