Premiership: Woodgate to seal Leeds future

Jonathan Woodgate is poised to seal his future at Leeds United by signing a new and improved contract.

The 21-year-old has held talks with the club and is ready to sign a new five-year deal worth almost £20,000 a week, according to reports.

England defender Woodgate could make his first league start for 11 months later today at Bolton.

Earlier this month he was acquitted of grievous bodily harm with intent in relation to an assault on a student in Leeds city centre, but ordered to serve 100 hours’ community service after being found guilty of affray.

Chairman Peter Ridsdale has confirmed he will be meeting with the player’s representative in early January regarding a new deal and does not expect any problems.

Ridsdale said: ‘‘We have offered Jonathan Woodgate a new contract. I have a meeting arranged with his agent at the beginning of next month but I fully expect the player to sign it.’’

Boss David O’Leary has previously claimed that Woodgate and skipper Rio Ferdinand are England’s centre-back pairing of the future.

The news comes just 24 hours after the club revealed that Lee Bowyer was set to pledge his future by signing a new five-year deal just a week after being placed on the transfer list.