Chris Wood has expressed his excitement at New Zealand’s forthcoming international match – and Leeds United fans have urged the striker to continue his brilliant form and not get injured.
Wood will skipper the New Zealand side on Saturday afternoon that faces Russia in the Confederations Cup opener in St Petersburg.
The Leeds striker, who scored 30 goals in all competitions in 2016-17, is aiming to help the Oceania champions secure a first victory in their fourth appearance in the eight-team competition.
Wood took to his personal Twitter account to herald the tournament opener and outlined that it was an “exciting challenge ahead”.
So it begins! Confeds Cup! Exciting challenge ahead. pic.twitter.com/s25Jtkh7vt
— Chris Wood (@officialcwood) June 17, 2017
Leeds supporters took to Twitter to respond to Wood, with many urging him to build upon his outstanding domestic form that nearly propelled the Yorkshire giants into the Championship play-offs.
Others took a club vantage point and pleaded with the 25-year-old to avoids injury and return to Leeds in good health in readiness for next season.
This Is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets:
win the golden boot to add to the championship golden boot????
— #del wright (@delwright21) June 17, 2017
Good luck Woody, don’t get injured big man
— Russ ???????? (@Latest_News_Mr) June 17, 2017
Good luck mate .. All behind ya . We all love Leeds
— Miles (@milo1403) June 17, 2017
A leeds fans are proud on you Chris. MOT ????
— Leeds United Balkan (@LeedsUtdBalkan) June 17, 2017
Get them scoring boots warmed up again for this season fella. All the best big man. #MOT
— kris (@edge_lufc) June 17, 2017
have a great tournament and please stay fit #LUFC
— Ian Murray (@imurray1964) June 17, 2017
All the best to @officialcwood & @NZ_Football later this afternoon #Confed17 ?????? pic.twitter.com/yKzi5ZShA4
— White Knight LUFC (@WhiteKnightLUFC) June 17, 2017
Good luck. Dont you even think about getting injured
— James Obiedzinski (@jamesobi1) June 17, 2017
New Zealand are appearing at the Confederations Cup for the fourth time, although they are still hunting for a first victory in the eight-team competition.
Anthony Hudson’s side are through to the final round of regional World Cup qualifying and will play Solomon Islands in a two-legged play-off, but they suffered 1-0 defeats to Northern Ireland and Belarus in recent friendlies.