Soccer: Wood may line up for U20s

Chris Wood would add another dimension to the New Zealand front line. Photo / Getty Images

Chris Wood has declared his interest in playing for New Zealand at next month's Under-20 World Cup but will leave the decision to his English club side.

The 19-year-old has spent the past couple of weeks in New Zealand in between English seasons and got a chance to catch up with the Junior All Whites as they finalise preparations for the tournament that starts in Colombia on July 29.

New Zealand have been drawn in a difficult group alongside Portugal, Cameroon and Uruguay and must name their 21-man squad on July 15.

Wood has played 12 games for the All Whites, including all three at last year's World Cup, and has also made three Premier League appearances for West Bromwich Albion.

There had been some doubt he would make himself available but he was impressed with what he saw when he watched the squad train last week. He has also played with or against all but four members of the extended squad.

Securing a first team spot with West Brom is his priority and he's keen to impress manager Roy Hodgson when he returns to pre-season training on July 2. Hodgson took over as Baggies boss in February after being sacked by Liverpool a month earlier.

"Chris wants to play for us, which is the big thing but it's going to be reliant on his club releasing him for it," Junior All Whites coach Chris Milicich said. "If he's in the mix for the first team, then the chances are highly slim. If they want to loan him out to a Championship side, then he's likely to come and play for us.

"It's going to depend on a conversation between Chris and his manager because it's his career. We will not stand in his way. If Roy says to him, 'I really think you have an opportunity and you need to be here', then we will be fine with that."

Clubs aren't required to release players for the Under-20 World Cup because it doesn't fall in a Fifa window.

The under-20s lack some forward firepower. They might have scored 22 goals in four games at the Oceania qualifiers, while conceding just one, but they lacked someone to lead the line. Wood is 1.89m and 90kg and can play as a lone striker.

It will be crucial in Colombia where New Zealand will come under pressure from sides infinitely better than at the Oceania tournament. Possession might be limited, increasing the importance of a target man.

"He brings the ability to lead our front line," Milicich said. "People who can lead front lines are quite rare, especially down here. There's also a huge respect for Chris [among the players]. He's playing at a level they all want to be at. It's a bit like when Marco [Rojas] is around. The players go, 'yep, you've done what I want to do'. It increases the players' desire to replicate that."

One thing that could work in New Zealand's favour is they will gather in California on the day West Brom finish a pre-season camp at the same location. Wood might then be allowed to team up with the Junior All Whites, whose last group match is on August 6. The Premier League season begins on August 13.

Wood spent most of last season on loan to Brighton & Hove Albion and scored nine goals as Brighton won promotion to the Championship. They have signalled their interest in getting him back and it might represent a more realistic option, considering West Brom have eight strikers.