Woody makes Viduka plea
24 May 2007 - 15:50:57
Middlesbrough defender Jonathan Woodgate has urged Mark Viduka to agree a new contract with the club.
The England defender recently signed for the Teessiders on a permanent basis following his season-long loan from Real Madrid and is hoping to see Viduka follow suit in the coming weeks.
The Australia international is out of contract in the summer and has been linked with a free transfer switch to Newcastle United and Portsmouth.
"I'm sure the manager will bring in a few more signings this summer to build on the squad we have here and hopefully persuade the big man to stay," Woodgate told the club's official website.
"I think it's imperative to keep him. He's been a different class this year and I'm on at him every day to put his name on the dotted line, so hopefully he'll take my advice."
Meanwhile, Woodgate has targeted a return to European football for last year's UEFA Cup finalists after putting pen to paper on his four-year contract.
"The reason why I've signed is to bring European football back to these fantastic fans. They deserve it more than anybody," he continued.
"We need to improve on our league form but there is no reason why we shouldn't be competing for a top-six spot next season."