Middlesbrough Football Club News

• Nickname:Boro
• Founded:1876
• Manager:Tony Mowbray

• Ground:Riverside Stadium
• Capacity:35,049

Woodgate fears grow

09 Oct 2006 - 07:54:40

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Reports suggest Middlesbrough defender Jonathan Woodgate is undergoing treatment after picking up an injury in training.

The 26-year-old, currently on a season-long loan from Real Madrid, is believed to have a groin injury that could keep him sidelined for three weeks.

The club have refused to comment on Woodgate's fitness, but he has been plagued by injuries since leaving Leeds United in January 2003.

He made 28 Premiership appearances for Newcastle United in his 18 months a St James' Park before sealing a £3.4million transfer to Real Madrid just over two years ago, but he made only seven La Liga starts for the Spanish side in two seasons.

Woodgate was allowed to join Boro by Real manager Fabio Capello in a bid to prove his fitness and he had been outstanding in his four appearances for Gareth Southgate's struggling side.

England boss Steve McClaren admitted last month that Woodgate had only just missed out on an international recall for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against FYR Macedonia and Croatia.