The Leeds United striker is integral to their play-off chances and the club will hope they do not rue a missed opportunity in January.
When Leeds United’s team was announced for their Championship clash with Fulham on Tuesday evening, Whites fans would have been forgiven for double-tacking such is the feeling when Chris Wood is nowhere to be seen.
The New Zealand international has been in scintillating form this season, scoring 22 goals in 34 league games and 25 in all competitions. But without him to call on, Leeds’ starting XI suddenly looks considerably less effective.
A minor calf injury meant Leeds boss Garry Monk opted not to play Wood against the Cottagers, and were it not for an injury-time strike by the hosts Leeds would have headed back to Elland Road with all three points. Yet that does not mean it was not a mistake when they failed to sign an extra striker back in January.
Marcus Antonsson was expected to be the second-choice forward this season but the Swede – recalled to the match day squad after five games in the wilderness – was named only on the bench with Souleymane Doukara moving up front.
Neither player is good enough to replace Wood and one can only hope Leeds do not live to regret stockpiling wingers while failing to bring in another forward while they could.
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