Robson: Woody here for five years

Newcastle boss Bobby Robson believes Jonathan Woodgate will prove a key signing for the club in the years to come.

England central defender Woodgate is set to complete a £9m (€13.7m) move to St James’ Park from Leeds before the transfer window closes later today.

Robson told TalkSport: “He is the right age for us, 23, in common with a lot of our really young players. We are trying to build for a long, successful, happy future.

“He is an England centre-half and that helps. We have a lot of foreign players here but we need a good mix.

“It is an important day for him and the club.”

Woodgate has struggled in recent weeks with a thigh injury but Robson is unconcerned about his current fitness.

He added: “In two to three weeks time he will be fit. We are not buying him for the next few weeks, we are buying him for the next five years.”