Woodgate rumours are rubbish: Real

REAL MADRID have acted quickly to calm fears that Jonathan Woodgate has suffered a relapse in his attempts to recover from his long-standing thigh injury.

The alarm bells sounded on Tuesday when Spanish radio programme ‘El Largero’ stated that the defender had broken down in training.

Woodgate, who joined Madrid last August, has yet to make his debut after failing to recover from a thigh injury he picked up playing for Newcastle against Chelsea in April 2004.

The 25-year-old is missing Madrid’s tour of the USA and the Far East, but is expected to travel to Austria for training early in August.

Madrid vice-president Emilio Butragueno said: “I don’t really know how this information about a relapse came out. I spoke to our doctor and he (Woodgate) felt good today.

“We are all very happy with the way he is progressing, so we are all surprised by the story, especially as it has come on a day when he has stepped up his work rate and responded very well.”