Robins sells Barnsley well as Wood arrives on loan

Wood, who played in all three games for his country at this summer's World Cup, was first offered a move to Oakwell back in April.

However, he was only allowed to leave the Baggies once manager Roberto Di Matteo had a fully-fit group of strikers at his disposal.

Only 18, Wood is still regarded as a player with a massive future at the Hawthorns but his manager feels his footballing education will benefit from a spell on loan in the Championship with the Tykes.

Wood has penned a three-month deal which will expire on Christmas Eve and goes straight into the squad for tomorrow's game at Reading.

"It's been frustrating having to wait," said Wood. "But I could see where West Brom were coming from as they needed players for their Premier League campaign.

"They had to hold me back as cover just in case anyone else got injured," he said. "But as soon as everyone was fit, I was glad to be able to join Barnsley. I like the style of football they play, they are not a big 'hoof it up long' team."

Wood has played 27 times for the Baggies since arriving in England as a 16-year-old and made his Premier League debut last month as a substitute against Liverpool at Anfield.

However, he is still only sixth in the pecking order among strikers at the club behind Marc-Antoine Fortune, Peter Odemwingie, Roman Bednar, Ishmael Miller and Simon Cox.

Barnsley will allow summer signing Liam Dickinson to leave Oakwell as a result of Wood's arrival which comes only a fortnight after the capture of Scottish international striker Garry O'Connor on a three-month loan deal from Birmingham City.

"I am delighted to have brought Chris into the club," said Robins.

"He is a player I've been after since April and he has played in a World Cup since.

"We were not the only club who have been keeping tabs on him, there were a lot of others – most notably Derby County – and I am pleased to have beaten off a club of that standing.

"He's got good movement, pace, knowledge beyond his years, he can finish, and he's got two good feet – so I think that qualifies him to play in the Championship!"

Wood, who has 13 full caps, will be the seventh New Zealand international to ply his trade for Barnsley following in the footsteps of Rory Fallon, David Mulligan, Leo Bertos, Jeremy Christie, Allan Pearce, and Colin Walker.

Robins hinted that his next signing is likely to be a defender although nothing will happen before the next international break whichcomes in two week's time.