Woodgate to boost Boro
22 Aug 2007 - 16:34:27
Middlesbrough defender Jonathan Woodgate could be back in action sooner than expected after making a return to full training this week.
The England international has been sidelined since undergoing knee surgery during the summer, but could return to first-team contention at the start of September.
Woodgate's imminent return will come as a huge boost to manager Gareth Southgate following Boro's injury-plagued start to the new season which has seen them lose two of their three opening Premier League matches.
"It's great to be back in training and I feel alright," Woodgate told the Middlesbrough Gazette.
"Those first three points (against Fulham last weekend) were vital. Now we have to start climbing up the league again."
The 27-year-old centre-half officially became at Middlesbrough player earlier in the summer after sealing a £7million move from Real Madrid following a successful season-long loan at the Riverside Stadium.