Robson's Woodgate fears confirmed

Bobby Robson’s worst fears were confirmed today when Newcastle confirmed that Jonathan Woodgate’s season was over.

The 24-year-old defender limped off the St James’ Park pitch towards the end of Sunday’s vital Premiership victory over Chelsea after damaging a thigh muscle, and tests since have revealed a tear.

“It’s a nasty thigh tear which will take him out for the rest of the season,” a club spokesman said.

Robson had already resigned himself to losing his most accomplished defender for a run-in which at the very least will involve the fight for fourth place in the league and the UEFA Cup semi-final second leg in Marseille.

Woodgate’s form has been a major plus as the Magpies have dragged themselves out of an indifferent start to the campaign and his latest injury – he has started only 27 of the club’s 50 games to date – will be devastating.

Andy O’Brien and Titus Bramble have performed admirably in his absence, but the former Bradford defender will be forced to sit out the Premiership games against Wolves and Southampton after Saturday’s trip to Manchester City following the rejection of his appeal against his red card at Aston Villa.

That could propel teenager Steven Taylor or forgotten man Robbie Elliott back into the limelight with Andy Griffin still on the injured list and Nikos Dabizas and Steve and Gary Caldwell having left the club, the older Caldwell on loan to struggling Leeds.

United remain confident of clinching fourth place after Sunday’s superb 2-1 win over Chelsea, but Woodgate’s injury represents a massive setback in their bid to end a 35-year wait for a major trophy in the UEFA Cup with both O’Brien and Bramble on the verge of European suspensions.