Five All Whites in under-20 squad

Consolation for Wood

Five All Whites have been included in Darren Bazeley’s under-20 squad for the World Cup in South Korea, which starts in less than three weeks.

Midfielder Clayton Lewis, a senior team regular, is joined by Dane Ingham, Henry Cameron, Logan Rogerson and Moses Dyer, giving the 21-man group a solid helping of experience.

Other notable names include Michael Woud, who is signed on for two more years at Sunderland, who have just been relegated from the English Premier League to the Championship; James Mcgarry, a pro with the Wellington Phoenix, and Sarpreet Singh, a midfielder who made several appearances for the Phoenix in the A-league season just gone, but is yet to sign a professional contract. Chris Wood may have missed out on promotion to the English Premier League with Leeds United, but he did have something to smile about on the final day of the Championship season.

When he scored from the penalty spot in the 50th minute to help his side to a 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic that left them seventh on the ladder, five points shy of making the promotion playoffs, it was his 27th league goal of the campaign.

That was four more than any other player managed - the next best were Brighton and Hove Albion’s Glen Murray, Bristol City’s Tammy Abraham, a Chelsea loanee, and Newcastle United’s Dwight Gayle, who all scored 23, which means Wood gets to add the honour of golden boot to those he’s already received.

The 25-year-old was named in the English Football League’s team of the season last month, and also took out the player of the year and players’ player of the year prizes at Leeds’ own awards a week ago. He scored three goals in cup competitions, so finished with a round 30 for the season.