Soccer: Woods' Baggies role is uncertain

Chelsea and Liverpool in two of your first three games in the Premiership are a challenge indeed - but it's unlikely that 18-year-old New Zealand striker Chris Wood will get to take it on.

It's a sign of how things have changed that Wood is one of three New Zealanders who have the chance to play in the English Premier League this season when only five have done it in history.

Ryan Nelsen, as Blackburn captain, is guaranteed to play, while it's expected Winston Reid will make his debut for West Ham.

Wood has already played in the Premiership, making two brief appearances off the bench for West Bromwich Albion in the 2008-09 season - but the Baggies went down soon after. They won promotion back to the top flight for this season but it's not clear if Wood has a part in their campaign this time.

The imposingly-built striker made 18 league appearances last season (six starts) as well as five FA and League Cup games, scoring two goals across all competitions. But he also spent considerable time with the reserves, scoring 10 times, including two hat-tricks.

He remains a part of the first team squad but appears to be about fourth or fifth on the pecking order behind Roman Bednar, Ishmael Miller, Luke Moore and Simon Cox.

Compounding that is the fact manager Roberto Di Matteo plays a 4-2-3-1, meaning chances up front for Wood could be limited.

Di Matteo wouldn't, however, let Wood go out on loan. A large number of Championship and League One sides were interested in securing his services and he seemed destined to join Championship side Barnsley - Wood and his agent were reportedly spotted in the stands at one of their pre-season matches - before Di Matteo squashed any move.

Injuries and a failure to bring any new strikers to West Brom during the off-season left Di Matteo nervous about letting Wood go. They had a loan bid for David Ngog knocked back by Liverpool and also looked at Marcus Berg, who has since joined PSV Eindhoven. Stoke's James Beattie reportedly remains an option.

"As for Chris, we've had a lot of requests for him but with our situation he's not going anywhere just yet," Di Matteo told the Birmingham Mail.

It's not ideal for Wood. At 18, he is desperate to play and continue his development. If that can't be in the Premier League, then the Championship is another good option.

He has proved throughout his career he can foot it at any level and is remembered from the World Cup as the guy who waltzed past 2006 World Player of the Year Fabio Cannavaro and nearly scored an unlikely winner against Italy.

Wood was West Brom's Young Player of the Year last season and has clearly outgrown reserve and academy football. A season on the bench is not what he has in mind.

Much could depend on how West Brom fare this season. Their fans' Boing, Boing anthem is sung, according to fans of fellow Midlands club Wolves, because they spend their time bouncing between the Premier League and Championship.

This season is their fourth attempt to establish a foothold in the top flight since 2002-03 and they are among most people's favourites to go down again. It probably means Di Matteo is nervous about pitching Wood into this battle.

The good thing for Wood is he has time on his side. He just needs a manager to give him the chance.