Woodgate to see specialist
Newcastle defender Jonathan Woodgate will visit a specialist on Friday in a last-ditch attempt to keep his Euro 2004 dream alive.
The 24-year-old has been ruled out of the rest of his club's campaign, which continues on Saturday with a vital Barclaycard Premiership trip to Manchester City before next Thursday's UEFA Cup semi-final second leg in Marseille, with a torn thigh muscle.
His chances of claiming a seat on England's plane to Portugal are minimal after United boss Sir Bobby Robson admitted that his prize defender could be out for three months.
However, with national coach Sven-Goran Eriksson desperately awaiting some good news on the injury front as his pool of front-line central defenders dwindles further by the day, Robson is insisting that he will do everything within his power to get him fit.
Newcastle's medical staff worked wonders two years ago to get Kieron Dyer fit for the World Cup finals after he suffered knee ligament damage on the final day of the season at Southampton.
Robson admits his £9m (€13.3m) defender's chances of a similar recovery are slim, and that he will not play for the Magpies again this season, but he will be given every chance to prove his fitness.
"Forget about Jonathan, he's got a two to three-month injury," he said. "We're sending Jonathan to a top specialist, who's an expert on this particular injury, this muscle tear that he's got.
"When we get the feedback from that visit, we'll be able to decide what his chances are. He's got no chance of playing for us this season, no chance. I would like Jonathan Woodgate to play in the European Championships, but he's got to prove his fitness, like we did with Kieron.
"Two years ago, we got Kieron fit - he got injured in the last match of the season against Southampton - and we said to Sven, 'Hang on, Sven, don't write him off, we'll do what we can for him'.
"I wanted Kieron to play in the World Cup - it makes you a better player - and we got Kieron in the World Cup. He didn't play very much, but we got him fit, and it will be the same thing with Jonathan. The physiotherapists will work hard to get Jonathan fit, but right at this moment in time, I have to tell you, his chances of playing are very slim."
| Related Stories: |
|
