Albion manager Gus Poyet has revealed the circumstances surrounding Chris Wood's loan move to Birmingham from West Brom, rather than back to the Seagulls.

The 19-year-old New Zealander has netted four goals in his last two outings, including a hat-trick against Millwall on Sunday, after spending the last six months of last season with Albion.

“When we sent Woody back we were told the manager (Roy Hodgson) liked him a lot,” Poyet said. “The Premiership finished two weeks later and he trained with them before he went on holiday.

“The situation was that maybe we'd have a little chance to get him, so we set up our season by getting Will Hoskins early doors and then we went for Macca (Craig Mackail-Smith), who was our No. 1.

“The other option was to get a target man. Woody gives you plenty of qualities and options but I don't think you can really use him as a target man.

“I didn't want to be unfair with him and the next thing I knew he was going to Birmingham. I'm pleased for him. When you go somewhere and play regularly and are part of a winning team it gives you that extra bit of confidence to go and play well.”