Woodgate nowhere near fit - Redknapp

27 July 2010 08:30
Harry Redknapp has raised fears over Jonathan Woodgate's career after all but confirming the defender would not be in his 25-man squad for the first half of the Barclays Premier League season. Spurs boss Redknapp revealed Woodgate was "nowhere near" recovering from the groin problem that has plagued him since November. "Woody's nowhere near at the moment, nowhere near," Redknapp said. "It must be really hard for him at the moment because he's nowhere near kicking a ball. He's been out for nearly a year, been in America and Australia but he's still nowhere near." This season has seen the Premier League introduce a rule which requires clubs to name a squad of 25 senior players by the end of the summer transfer window. Other than introducing under-21 players, teams are barred from making changes to that list until January. "I couldn't put Woody in my 25," Redknapp said. "It's impossible at the moment. You can't have somebody in who's never going to play, if he's not going to be fit."

Source: PA