Newcastle United striker Chris Wood is not available for transfer, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The 31-year-old has been linked with a return to Leeds United, and while Jones has not ruled out the Magpies selling him if they sign a new forward in January, he says their current stance is the player is not for sale.

GiveMeSport Transfer Update With Dean Jones

Newcastle transfer news - Chris Wood

Football Insider recently claimed that Leeds are planning to make a move for Wood in the upcoming transfer window.

Wood only joined Newcastle at the start of the year, but he has found game time hard to come by this season.

The former Burnley man has made just two starts in the Premier League, as per Transfermarkt.

He has fallen behind Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson in the pecking order at St James' Park, making talk of an exit no surprise.

Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know

What has Dean Jones said about Chris Wood and Newcastle?

Jones has told GIVEMESPORT that Newcastle are not actively looking to sell Wood right now.

Speaking to GMS, the transfer reporter said: "My information right now on that one is that Chris Wood is not available. But that situation might change in January if Newcastle do some business and sign another forward."

Chris Wood's stats for Newcastle

Wood was a signing that Eddie Howe was quite excited about following his move from Burnley, which cost the Magpies £25m, according to BBC Sport.

"We're really pleased with the signing of Chris," Howe was quoted as saying by ChronicleLive. "I think he will fit in really well to the team. He is experienced and ready to play and he's done very well historically for Burnley.

"He knows the Premier League and I think he gives us something different to what we have. I think all those qualities mixed together to make it a really powerful signing for us."

Since arriving at St James' Park, though, Wood has scored just four goals in 33 appearances (also via Transfermarkt).

Last season, according to WhoScored, the New Zealand international won 6.6 aerial duels a game, which was the highest average in Newcastle's squad. So he has shown some of that power that Howe has spoken about.

However, with the Premier League outfit now chasing Champions League football, that alone will probably not be enough for him to survive in this evolving squad. Therefore, it would not be a shock if Newcastle's stance on Wood quickly softened.

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