It's easy to forget Nottingham Forest talisman had seven-game Barnsley stint | OneFootball

Chris Wood joined the Yorkshire club on a three-month loan deal from West Bromwich Albion in September 2010

When you think of Chris Wood, it is hard not to imagine him terrorising defences in the garibaldi red of Nottingham Forest, having become their all-time leading Premier League goalscorer with 35 strikes.

However, one stop along Wood's journey that is largely forgotten is the first - a brief seven-game spell at Barnsley as an 18-year-old in 2010 - where he failed to find the net at all.

After being on the books at West Brom in his younger days, the target man was sent out on loan to numerous clubs in England before establishing himself as one of the top-flight's most consistent goalscorers.

With spells at Brighton, Birmingham City, Bristol City, Millwall, Leicester City, Leeds United, Burnley and Newcastle United, all coming before his move to Forest.

Chris Wood's forgettable Barnsley loan spell

Wood joined the Yorkshire club on a three-month loan deal from West Bromwich Albion in September 2010, with the 18-year-old striker arriving to further his footballing education under then-manager Mark Robins.

The teenager had been pushed down the pecking order at The Hawthorns following the arrivals of Peter Odemwingie and Marc-Antoine Fortune, with West Brom boss Roberto Di Matteo allowing Wood to gain first-team experience.

The New Zealand international had featured at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa months prior and was expected to provide Championship experience for the Tykes, who were sitting 10th in the table at that time.

However, Wood's time at Barnsley proved to be one of the most forgettable chapters of his career - he made four starts and three substitute appearances, only playing a total of 274 minutes across his goalless three-month stay.

Chris Wood's career flourished after leaving Oakwell

After returning to West Brom, he was immediately loaned out to Brighton & Hove Albion, where he rediscovered his goalscoring touch under Gus Poyet.

During his time with the Seagulls in League One, Wood scored eight goals in 29 games, helping the club secure promotion as champions.

This successful spell at Brighton proved to be the kickstart for Wood's career, as he scored prolifically during subsequent loan moves to Birmingham City - nine in 23, and Millwall - 11 goals in 19 appearances.

Wood's impressive form at these clubs eventually earned him a permanent move to Leicester City in 2013, where he continued his development before becoming one of the Championship's most feared strikers at Leeds United - scoring 44 goals in 88 games.

Wood's 20 goals this past season helped Forest secure European football - with the striker becoming the first player to hold the record as all-time Premier League top scorer for two different clubs - Burnley being the first.

Reflecting on his career trajectory, it's clear that the disappointment of his Barnsley loan spell served as valuable motivation for the young striker. His ability to bounce back and continue developing through so many other loan spells does show good mental strength.

For Tykes supporters, few are likely to remember his seven goalless appearances but that difficult period undoubtedly played a role in shaping the resilient character that has made him one of New Zealand's greatest ever footballers.