Luxemburgo warning

REAL MADRID coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo has warned that players unhappy with not being guaranteed first-team football should leave the club.

Portugal winger Luis Figo and midfielder Guti have both voiced their disappointment at being used as substitutes towards the end of last season. Guti said he wanted to leave to play more regularly, while Figo has been linked in the press with a move to European champions Liverpool. With Brazilian forward Robinho being chased by Real, England striker Michael Owen’s future at the club has also been questioned in the media.

“Owen and Figo have contracts and should be here. Whether they are going to play or not is a different story but they are Real Madrid players,” Luxemburgo said. “If you are only here to play (and not accept a squad system) you should go.

“If Guti said he didn’t like it here and was going to go and find another club he should have gone. But as he is here it is because he didn’t find another team and he should appreciate the work.”

Real’s return to pre-season training was marked by the appearance of England defender Jonathan Woodgate who joined the main squad for the first time since suffering a recurrence of a long-term thigh injury last October.

Woodgate has not made an appearance for Real since completing his move from Newcastle United last year.