Woodgate won't play this season after all

Injury-plagued Real Madrid defender Jonathan Woodgate will not make a full recovery from the troublesome thigh injury that has marred his time in Spain until the start of next season, according to the doctor who operated on him.

Contrary to last week's reports on Real Madrid's official website which stated that the England centre back could return before the end of the current campaign, Doctor Sakari Orava believes that the 2005-2006 season is a more realistic target.

"The muscle is in good condition and I think he could be back playing next season," he told Spanish newspaper Marca.

"Nothing is 100% certain in science, but he is close to returning.

"He needs three months to return to full competition, but I think that he could be training with the rest of his companions in two months."

Dr Orava was unable to explain exactly why the 25-year-old has taken so long to recover, but hinted that perhaps Madrid president Florentino Perez's desire to see his £13.4million signing in action as soon as possible had played a part.

"There is no one cause, but maybe at times they wanted to go too quickly," said Orava.

Woodgate has endured a torrid time since his move from Newcastle United last summer when he arrived in the Spanish capital with his thigh injury.

He missed the first month of the season with the problem but looked to have recovered before suffering a relapse on October 7 ahead of a practice match.

Real Madrid sent the defender to Cleveland, Ohio, to see specialist Dr J Bergfeld and he assured the club that no operation was needed, saying that Woodgate would be fit "in 10 weeks".

However, Woodgate suffered another relapse on January 25 and has yet to make an appearance for the Bernabeu outfit.