Woodgate to miss Euro 2004
Jonathan Woodgate has been ruled out England’s European Championship campaign after Newcastle boss Bobby Robson revealed the thigh injury he sustained against Chelsea last week would take a minimum of two months to heel.
The centre-half went for a scan yesterday and the results will not have pleased England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, who is already without suspended Rio Ferdinand and has Gareth Southgate sweating on a knee injury which has ruled him out for the rest of the season.
Such is the extent of Woodgate’s problem he could yet be doubtful for the start of next season, although the was the last thing on Robson’s mind, who is disappointed for a player who was battling
with John Terry to partner Sol Campbell in Portugal this summer.
“Jonathan’s injury will need at least two months to repair, that is without him getting involved in any serious training and we don’t know how long it will take for him to get fit,” said Robson after Newcastle’s 1-0 defeat at Manchester City.
“We will have to inform Sven-Goran Eriksson because the European Championships are a non-starter.
“He is sorry and we are sorry because we would have liked him to have gone but unfortunately he is not going to make it.”
The news could set Eriksson on a collision course with Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson as Red Devils centre-half Wes Brown would appear to be next in line.
Ferguson feels Brown, who has recovered from two cruciate ligament operations, should be rested completely this summer. However, Brown has indicated he would like to be involved.
