Wood sweats on World Cup place

Albion teenager Chris Wood has admitted he needs to win a Baggies recall to make sure of his place at this summer's World Cup.

The striker helped New Zealand win their place at the finals in South Africa but is still nervous about missing out on a place in the final All Whites' squad.

Wood is targeting a return to the first-team in order to press his claims for inclusion in Ricki Herbert's party.

He said: "At the moment I am bit nervous about just making sure I am in the squad. You never know until your name is on that piece of paper and you're on that flight.

"When the team is read out hopefully my name will be there and I will be more than pleased."

Wood made his first Championship appearance in almost two months on Tuesday, with a substitute appearance at Cardiff on Tuesday, and kept his name in the frame for first-team inclusion with a 28-minute hat-trick for the Baggies reserves on Wednesday against Port Vale.

The 18-year-old is hoping that treble caught the eye of head coach Roberto Di Matteo, having slipped down the pecking order after regular substitute appearances earlier in the season.

He said: "It's all about getting game time under your belt and showing the manager that you've still got a bit to show, so you hopefully get more game time in the first team.

"It was good to put in a good performance. The goals come when they come but it's just about showing the right commitment and application to show the gaffer what I need to at the moment.

"It would be good to have my name thrown into the hat for the weekend. It's always difficult to take when you are left out and you think you're doing well.

"But we had Ishmael Miller back and Roman Bednar has been on fire for the last few weeks, so you just have to take it on the chin and bide your time.

"Unfortunately 'Ish' got injured again recently those are the chances I have to take, when I am in the wings waiting for my opportunity."