England News

• Nickname:Three Lions
• Founded: 1872
• Manager:Roy Hodgson

• Ground:Wembley Stadium
• Capacity:90,000

Surgery sidelines Woodgate

11 May 2007 - 11:12:57

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Middlesbrough centre-back Jonathan Woodgate will miss England's Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia next month after being forced to undergo surgery on a knee injury.

The 27-year-old, who recently turned his loan move from Real Madrid into a permanent deal, will have surgery on Monday, ruling him out of both the Estonia qualifier and the showpiece friendly against Brazil at Wembley.

Boro boss Gareth Southgate confirmed: "Jonathan is going to have an exploratory operation on his left knee on Monday.

"He has had a niggle for the last couple of months, so they are going to take a look at it and we will have a clearer picture of what the problem is after Monday.

"The operation will mean he will not be available for the England games this summer."

Former Leeds United and Newcastle United stopper Woodgate has made 35 appearances for Boro this season, but his international career has been limited to just six caps to date due to a catalogue of injury problems.