All Whites striker Chris Wood hopes his goal off the bench in Newcastle United’s latest win will earn him a return to the starting line-up for the English Premier League club.
Wood, who has spent most of the season on the subs’ bench, got his chance in United’s EPL match at Southampton when first-choice forward Callum Wilson took ill at half-time, complaining he felt “light-headed”.
The New Zealand forward was brought on with United leading 1-0 but under pressure from the home side.
In the 58th minute, the ball was played into the Southampton box and Wood controlled it, turned and curled a shot just inside the post.
After the match, Wood (30) was relieved to have registered his first goal of the EPL season, and only his second in all competitions.
‘Nice to be back on the scoresheet’
“It’s nice to be back on the scoresheet. I want to contribute as much as I can to the team,” he told NUFC TV.
“I’ve got some good strikers around me and even ahead of me at the moment so it’s about fighting to try and earn a place.
“You have to bide your time sometimes, and wait for an opportunity, and try and take it and thankfully I can do that today and I’ve got to keep that going when I get those chances.”
Wood made it clear he hopes manager Ernie Howe will give him a place in Newcastle’s starting line-up for their Wednesday night Carabao Cup tie at home to Crystal Palace.
“I want to keep my run going,” he said.
“I’ll be looking to start on Wednesday and hopefully continue. It’s a chance for a lot of us boys that haven’t played a lot of minutes to show our stuff and hopefully put an impression in the gaffer’s mind to know when we’re called upon we’re ready.”
Wood interview
Click on image to watch Wood’s post-match interview with NUFC TV:
Wood’s goal
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