Jonathan woodgate apparently broke down in training with Madrid in the latest injury setback.

However Woodgate is denying it and is due to meet up with the madrid team in Austria.

Jonathan Woodgate is a fantastic defender there is no doubting it but i feel Woodgate's future in football is nearing the end, he is the most injury ridden player i've come across and it has to be the best piece of business Newcastle United have done in a long time selling him for 15 million was it? to Madrid as he's yet to play a game for the spanish giants!!

Anyway i hope he does fight of the injuries, plays for Real Madrid and gets in the England side!

I hope he manages to get injury free and start playing again , he is a fantastic player and could play regularly for England as well.

He may of been injured quite a bit when he was our player , but when he played he was the best.

It makes me think back to Newcastle's record when he played!

The time we lost was minimul at that time!

That is very true.

I think Woody got Man of the Match in nearly every game he played for us.

I agree totally!

And then came Bramble!

Unfortunately I think it is the end for him. He was a fantastic player, but makes you wonder even if he does come back, will he ever get back to his best?

There is only really one word for it - "Tragic"

is woodgate finished ? i dont think he even started did he . Joking aside though it does not look good and surely Real Madrid will get rid of him now . It would be a risk for any other club to sign him now , maybe he should call it a day as he must have earned a fair amount while over there.

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Real deny Woodgate injury reports


Real Madrid have acted quickly today to calm fears that Jonathan Woodgate has suffered a relapse in his attempts to recover from his long-standing thigh injury.
The alarm bells sounded yesterday when Spanish radio programme 'El Largero' stated that the former Leeds and Newcastle defender had broken down in training as he continued his fightback from a lengthy lay-off.


Woodgate, who joined Madrid last August, has yet to make his debut after failing to recover from a thigh injury he picked up playing for Newcastle against Chelsea in April 2004.

The 25-year-old is missing Madrid's tour of the USA and the Far East to finalise his recovery, but is expected to travel with his companions when they fly to Austria for training early in August.

Madrid vice-president Emilio Butragueno told the club's website: 'Today he trained very well.

'I don't really know how this information about a relapse came out. I spoke to doctor Alfonso Del Corral (the head of Madrid's medical services) and he (Woodgate) felt good today.

'As well as that, we are all very happy with the way he is progressing, so we are all surprised by the story, especially as it has come on a day when he has stepped up his work rate and responded very well.'

The club have followed up those statements with further explanations from doctor Jesus del Olmo, who is the chief of rehabilitation and recuperation at the La Fraternidad clinic.

Del Olmo has worked closely with Woodgate and in confident his recovery is going according to plan.

'Ever since his last operation four months ago, the player has been following a recovery plan, which he is fulfilling well,' Del Olmo said.

'He has progressed well in the past few weeks and we are happy with his progress. It is not true there has been a relapse.

'The muscle that is injured has an interior tendon and when it gets damaged, there are problems in scarring. It is not easy to solve, needs special attention and sometimes needs a long period of recovery, as in this case.'

Del Olmo refused to rule out the possibility of a relapse, but played down the chance of it happening in Woodgate's case.

'Any muscle injury can suffer a relapse and we are working not just to cure the problem, but also to prevent that risk. We try to control those risk factors,' added the doctor, who was confident Woodgate was close to the end of his injury nightmare.

'We can say he is on the final straight of his recovery, but muscle injuries can betray you and there is more risk than ever when you are pushing things to finalise the recovery.

'We will decide if he goes to Austria at the end of the week. If he goes, he will probably carry on with a programme that is similar to that of his companions.

'He is working with the ball and hitting long passes. The most important thing is the sensation he has and that is very good.

'Woodgate is an extraordinary lad, he is working as I have hardly ever seen a sportsman work. At the moment he is full of hope and looking forward to his first game with Real Madrid.'

wel i hope he can make a full recovery as he is still only 25 and so has plenty of years left in him yet. We all know how the media can make up or exagerate things so time will tell i suppose .

Fat fred says if real want rid there is always a number 6 shirt for him at toon.

i dont think they will get rid of him just yet .

Of course not what a defender one of the best in the game he is a great defender and hope he is playing football again

I dont think he's finished at all, unless he gets a reacurring injury he will be fine. Players overcome long term injuries, why cant he?

He's a fantastic defender

the lastest `news` is that if Woodgate does not come through his injury nightmare then Real Madrid will make a bid for Rio Ferdinand who is currently stalling on a new contract at Man Utd .

All I can say about Woodgate's evolution is that it seems he will ne ready for the pre-season with Real Madrid in Austria and he could start playing several minutes when the spanish league starts. Furthermore, when he gets on fit, he will be probably in the beginning 11. But I hope nothing more happens with the poor Woody.

I would of thought that Real would make an offer for Ferdinand even if Woody does get his fitness back.

Hope Woody does , would love to watch him play again.

He is a great player, maybe thats the only reason real madrid have kept him. i'm really suprised they have'nt got rid of him with the wage he's on. The owls certainly would'nt say no to him!

The Owls probably wouldn't say no to Des Walker right now... Only messing...

Woodgate is a great talent, I hope he makes a full recovery. It's a shame as I always wanted to see that English 'spine' of Real Madrid play, but it looks like it'll never happen.