Ten clubs track Albion's Chris Wood

No fewer than 10 Championship clubs are on the trail of Albion's young striker Chris Wood - but it is not yet certain he will go out on loan.

The 18-year-old New Zealander, who already has one World Cup to his name, is being heavily linked to a loan spell with Derby as a replacement for their recently-sold former Albion striker Rob Hulse.

But the youngster is not going anywhere until injury problems for fellow strikers Roman Bednar and Ishmael Miller have cleared - and even then his exit is not certain.

Sporting and technical director Dan Ashworth said: "We've had 10 Championship clubs in touch with us about Chris - not just Derby.

"No deal has been agreed with any club yet and none will be agreed unless it suits West Bromwich Albion.

"I'm not surprised there is so much interest in him, because he has done very well for us last season and enjoyed a terrific World Cup.

"I would also remind everyone that at the moment he is in our first team squad and came on against Liverpool at Anfield where he did very well.

"It is not yet set in stone that he will go on loan anywhere."

Although the loan window is now open, Wood is more likely to be in boss Roberto Di Matteo's squad for the Spurs clash this weekend than lining up for a Championship side.

Di Matteo added: "I am in favour of Chris Wood playing every weekend, but we saw last weekend how valuable Chris was for us.

"We have Miller injured for quite a substantial period of time and Bednar pulled out in the warm-up.

"We might have to wait for other players to get better and then we will reassess the situation and see how it goes. A loan would benefit him.

"At his age he will only become a better player by playing regularly.

"In our team he might get some chances to play but he won't be playing week in, week out for 90 minutes."