Woodgate three months away from return

Jonathan Woodgate has been told that he will be back in action for Real Madrid within three months.

The injury-prone defender has yet to make a competitive appearance for Real since his
move from Newcastle last summer. He has been hampered by a persistent thigh complaint which he originally sustained while playing for Newcastle a year ago.

Woodgate travelled to Finland last week to have tests on the affected area and was seen by doctor Sakari Orava.

“Scientifically nothing can be 100 percent certain, but Woodgate is close to returning,” Orava told Marca.

“I believe Woodgate will be able to return next season.

“It will take some three months before he is ready to return to the top level, but I believe that in two he could be training with his team-mates again.

“The condition of the muscle is good, you can see he has been working well at Real Madrid and has followed the correct recuperation programme.”