Wood has goods as Leeds go to third

The dream run continues for All Whites striker Chris Wood.

Wood netted his 17th goal of the English season for Leeds United yesterday, leading them to a 1-0 win home win against Derby County and lifting his side to third on the Championship ladder.

Using his lofty frame to its full extent, the 25-year-old centreforward rose high from a corner on the stroke of halftime and glanced a strong header Derby County’s sprawling goalkeeper, sending the Elland Road crowd wild.

That charge has been assisted in no small part by Wood, who now has 14 league goals to go with the three he scored in the English League Cup before The Whites were knocked out at the quarterfinal stage by Liverpool.

Wood, who sat on the bench for Leeds’ FA Cup win over Cambridge on Tuesday but was coming off two goals in their previous 3-0 win over Rotherham, moved to equal third on the Championship goalscorers tally.

Only Newcastle’s Dwight Gayle (19) and Glenn Murray of Brighton (15) had scored more.

Wood has 18 goals in 46 games for the All Whites and has also captained the team on a number of occasions during the past two years in the absence of regular skipper Winston Reid.

Leeds are away to eighth-placed Barnsley in their next match today week.

Meanwhile, All Whites defender and former captain Tommy Smith is on the brink of a return from injury for fellow Championship outfit Ipswich Town.

The English-born player was left out of the New Zealand squad for its successful Oceania Nations Cup campaign in May and June for a lack of commitment but is set to be back in contention for selection after patching things up with coach Anthony Hudson.

Smith had surgery on his back in September last year.

‘‘Tommy is back earlier than anticipated after an operation on his back,’’ said Ispwich manager pswich manager Mick McCarthy. ‘‘He has been the perfect patient, as you would expect.