"He'd fit in well" - Chris Wood named in Burnley FC player return debate | OneFootball

The striker made four-and-a-half years at Turf Moor between 2017 and 2022.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Frustrations at Turf Moor have started to grow over the course of the last month, as Burnley continue to flatter to deceive following relegation from the Premier League last season.

While the Clarets remain 4th in the Championship, in recent weeks, performances have been less than satisfactory and goals have continued to be hard to come by for Scott Parker's side, despite the team scoring 18 in their first 15 matches.

However, it must be noted that nine of those came in their opening two games of the campaign against Luton Town and Cardiff City, and they have struggled to blow teams away in the same manner since, although they do look strong defensively.

The upcoming January transfer window could see a flurry of action in and out of Turf Moor as Burnley look to catch back up to those in the automatic spots, and bringing in a new striker with similar qualities to a former star could be the way to success.

Chris Wood named as ex-ace that would improve Burnley

Parker must address the issues going forward this winter, and it is the only way that they will stick with the likes of Leeds United, Sheffield United and Sunderland as the months go on.

They lack a clinical number nine at this current time, and they have struggled to show a way to win games consistently by large margins.

Football League World has asked their Burnley Fan Pundit, Ben Livingstone, which former player he would bring back if he had the chance to help his team until the end of the season.

For the Clarets supporter, there was only one choice: "If I could bring any former player to the current side, if we're talking about one who's still playing, it'd be Chris Wood.

"The form he's in at the minute is unbelievable. He's probably in the team of the season right now in terms of the Premier League, he's been fantastic. He'd fit in well, we like to hit the ball long and Wood, he's one of them who will hold it up or flick it on, and I think he's the kind of striker that we need at the minute."

Ben continued: "Obviously, not quite to his level, maybe someone not as good, but he's got a physical presence up front, and we need that. We haven't got anything like that at the minute, and you could argue that we have Jay Rodriguez, but he's not the type to hold the ball up for you or win a header, or any flick-ons.

"So, Wood would have been my obvious shout. I still wouldn't mind seeing Kieran Trippier come back. We could do with a right-back as well, so maybe Trippier.

"I always thought he would come back to Burnley, but obviously everything and I don't think he will now that Sean Dyche has left."

Wood has been exceptional this season for Forest

Few would have foreseen Wood having the impact that he has had in the Premier League for Nottingham Forest, but he has proven to be an extraordinary addition to the team since making the move to the City Ground originally on loan in January 2023 from Newcastle United.

He has become one of the deadliest finishers in the division, finding the back of the net eight times in just 11 appearances this season. Only Erling Haaland has scored more than the 32-year-old, while Bryan Mbeumo and Mohammed Salah are sat alongside Wood on eight goals.

One of the most natural target men in the top flight currently, a player with his qualities would be more than welcome at Burnley right now, and they would be the perfect missing link in Parker's team.

The Clarets lack penetration right now, and often their games are filled with very few chances for both teams. If they can find a player similar to Wood, they might just solve their goal-scoring issues and become a threat to teams on a consistent basis once again.