Woodgate plays down injury claims

Real Madrid defender Jonathan Woodgate has shrugged off rumours of an injury relapse and insists he is only a step away from returning to competitive action.

Spanish radio station Cadena Ser reported on Tuesday that the former Leeds and Newcastle United defender - who has yet to make his Madrid debut after joining last August - had suffered a recurrence of the thigh injury that has sidelined him since April 2004.

Woodgate said there is nothing to worry about. "I feel fine, my leg is fine and mentally I also feel great,” Woodgate told Marca.

“What I want to do now is get back to playing football again. I feel good and am looking forward to playing, because it has been a sad and difficult period.”