Leeds United head coach Steve Evans has insisted that Chris Wood needs to prove himself on the training pitch all over again to get back into the starting eleven.
The Whites signed the New Zealand international last summer from Leicester City and despite scoring eight goals this season, Wood has struggled with injuries since the turn of the year.
The 24-year-old returned to action in a five-minute cameo against Blackburn last weekend, and played and scored in a friendly against Peterborough in midweek, but Evans indicated that won’t be enough for the striker to return to the first eleven.
While he admits that Wood has done well to return in top shape, he stressed that the forward needs to work hard and perform on the training pitch to convince him to name the New Zealander in the Leeds starting eleven.
Speaking to LUTV about Wood’s return to fitness, the Leeds boss said: “Yes, but he needs some matches and minutes on the pitch.
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“He has got himself in fantastic condition, so now it’s about minutes on the pitch.
“Now his performances in Thorp Arch need to demonstrate that he should start in front of the two lads in the team.”
Wood is expected to be in the Leeds matchday squad for this Saturday’s Yorkshire derby against Huddersfield at Elland Road.
