Woodgate omitted from Spurs squad

Jonathan Woodgate today failed to make Tottenham's 25-man squad for the first half of the Premier League season.

Manager Harry Redknapp decided to omit the injury-plagued defender, who he recently revealed was fighting to save his career.

Redknapp last month expressed his fears the 30-year-old would be forced to retire if one final operation did not cure his nightmare groin problem.

Woodgate made only three appearances last season and has not played at all since November.

Specialist surgery in both America and Australia proved unsuccessful and Redknapp believes the player is close to having to call it quits.

Also omitted from the Spurs squad submitted to the Premier League today was goalkeeper Ben Alnwick, with new loan signing Stipe Pletikosa now providing back-up to Heurelho Gomes and Carlo Cudicini.