Leicester City's new £2m striker Chris Wood set for New Year's Day debut

The signing of striker Chris Wood could make all the difference for Leicester City, manager Nigel Pearson has said.

Wood will complete his move from West Brom, worth initially £1.25million rising to £2m, when the transfer window opens tomorrow.

He could make his debut in the New Year's Day game with Huddersfield at the King Power Stadium.

City have fought off interest from several Championship rivals, including Millwall and Brighton, to land Wood.

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Pearson said the 21-year-old New Zealand forward would help City come out on top more often in tight contests.

"We are almost there in terms of finalising the deal, but, of course, we can't do that until the window is open," he said.

"I think we have had a bit of problem winning these tight games and he is the type of player who will add quite a bit to our squad.

"The competition for places will be good. Fresh faces in this window do give the rest of the squad a shot in the arm.

"If we do get that finalised, it will be a very good signing."

City are also understood to have made a £1m bid for Blackpool defender Alex Baptiste.

However, Pearson said he is not looking to bring in many more new players.

"I don't know how much business we will do but we probably won't do an awful lot," said Pearson, who refused to discuss any transfer speculation.

Reports emerged of City's approach for centre-back Baptiste on Friday night, but the Blackpool captain featured for the Tangerines in their 4-2 defeat at Middlesbrough, which indicated a deal had not been done.

City have also been linked with a move for Manchester United's England under-21 midfielder Nick Powell on a season-long loan.

Powell, who joined United from Crewe in a £6m deal, is highly rated at United, who have forged close links with City over the past 12 months and have recently loaned Michael Keane and Jesse Lingard to City.