CHRIS Wood has described his move to Blues from Albion on loan as a ‘‘no-brainer’’.

And the New Zealand striker said he was convinced that they would be challenging for promotion this season.

Wood joined on a month’s loan, with a view to an extension, and made his debut as a second-half substitute at Derby County.

Wood was journeying back from the Baggies midweek friendly in Greece against Olympiakos when Chris Hughton came in.

“It wasn’t something I was too sure about because I wanted to stay and fight for my place at West Brom,” the 19-year-old admitted.

“But speaking to the gaffer back at West Brom, he thought it would be beneficial for me and the club to go out on loan.

“There’s not a better club to come on loan to. It’s right on my doorstep, I know the area, everything around Birmingham City, the history.

“It’s a big club, with great players and big expectations.”

Wood had loans at Barnsley and Brighton – where he scored nine times – last season.

“Not having had a chance to train under the new gaffer [Roy Hodgson] as I was out on loan for six, seven months, it was in my mind to stay.

“It was about getting stuck in and showing him what I could do, seeing if I had a bit potential there to maybe be part of the plans.