£25m star to be ‘made available for January exit’ at St James’ Park

Newcastle United will allow Chris Wood to seal his departure from St James’ Park ‘if he wants to move on’ in January, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Magpies have made an indifferent start to the campaign, with wins hard to come by, but Wood has not been heavily involved.

What’s the latest news involving Wood?

Wood became one of the first arrivals since Eddie Howe took over as Newcastle’s head coach as he completed a £25million switch from Burnley in January.

The 30-year-old penned a contract worth £80,000-per-week, making him the Tyneside giants’ fourth highest earner.

But there are doubts over Wood’s long-term future as Newcastle have reportedly set their sights on recruiting a younger forward as a replacement in 2023.

The former Leeds United and Leicester City man has been restricted to less than 300 minutes of action since the campaign got underway and he also suffered a setback on international duty last month.

Wood was forced off during the first half of New Zealand’s friendly defeat to Australia after a collision resulted in a rib injury.

What has Dean Jones said about Wood?

Jones has revealed he had doubts over why Newcastle signed Wood in the first place and now feels the progression shown by Howe’s side means he is surplus to requirements.

The journalist believes the Magpies will allow the striker to move onto pastures new during the winter transfer window.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “It’s always been hard for Chris Wood to fit in at Newcastle. The transfer seemed strange from the start.

“I think part of it was the fact that they were looking at set pieces and him getting on the end of crosses.

“But, with the way that Newcastle are now improving and moving on to another level, part of me does expect for him to be made available in January if he wants to move on.”

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Should Newcastle allow Wood to seal his departure?

Wood has clearly struggled to show his best form in a Newcastle shirt, having only scored three goals since his arrival, and he is facing stiff competition for a regular starting berth.

The Magpies smashed their record transfer fee during the summer window as they forked out £63million to draft Alexander Isak in from La Liga outfit Real Sociedad.

That deal resulted in Wood falling down the pecking order, while fellow frontman Callum Wilson has also penned a contract extension recently.

Howe has already been making plans ahead of the turn of the year and negotiated a deal which will see Garang Kuol join from Australian side Central Coast Mariners in January, so it may be the right time for Wood to move on.

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