All Whites striker Chris Wood praised by ex-Leeds manager after he nets 11th goal of season

Former Leeds United manager Neil Redfearn has hailed All Whites striker Chris Wood as the "real deal" after he scored his 11th goal of the season for Leeds on Sunday (NZ time).

Wood’s goal helped Leeds beat Norwich City 3-2 in a pulsating encounter, a result which propelled them into the top six of English Championship.

The 24-year-old, who was jeered by some United fans earlier in the campaign, put his side up 2-1 after 74 minutes, a goal which resulted in Redfearn heaping praise on the big striker.

"Chris Wood is turning into the centre-forward that everybody knew he was," Redfearn told TV Yorkshire.

"Eleven goals for the season, which is a fantastic achievement. But his all-round general play; his hold-up play, his strength, his awareness. He is the real deal."

Wood’s goal was cancelled out by Kyle Lafferty with a couple of minutes left in regulation, before Ronaldo Vieira netted the winner a minute later for visiting United.

This season for Leeds, Wood has scored three League Cup goals and eight in the Championship. His eight goals place him fourth equal for goals scored in the competition, three behind leader Dwight Gayle.

Gayle played for competition leader Newcastle. Leeds were placed sixth.

Wood has scored 18 goals in 43 matches for the All Whites.