Chris Wood came off the bench late in Newcastle United’s 0-0 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday afternoon but didn’t have enough time to change the game.
The 30-year-old replaced Callum Wilson in the 87th minute and had four touches while winning three aerial duels and making three passes. He didn’t have a shot and was dispossessed on the ball, so it wasn’t a telling substitution.
Wood was a late introduction in Newcastle’s 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest on August 6, getting just one minute from the bench, so he can’t be pleased with how his role has changed this season.
The New Zealand international played in 89.5% of Newcastle’s Premier League games upon his arrival from Burnley last season (17/19 league appearances), but he’s featured in only 2% of the available minutes this campaign (4/180 league minutes).
If Howe doesn’t want to give Wood a run out when Newcastle are comfortably winning a game and won’t give him more minutes when the Magpies are goalless and heading for a draw, when will he play?
Wood may have known Wilson would be first-choice when fit after scoring just two goals last season, but he won’t be happy getting a handful of minutes each week.
In other news, Newcastle tipped to sign Conor Gallagher if Chelsea sign Frenkie De Jong
