Woodgate set for Boro return

Jonathan Woodgate is poised for a return to Middlesbrough subject to a medical.

The 32-year-old former England international is a free agent having played for Stoke last season.

And the npower Championship club have revealed on their official website, mfc.co.uk, that Woodgate is close to starting a second spell at the Riverside Stadium, where he played 52 times after an initial loan move from Real Madrid six years ago.

Boro eventually paid the Spanish giants £7million for Woodgate on that occasion before an £8million move to Tottenham in January 2008.

The former Leeds youngster has commanded in excess of £35million in transfer fees despite suffering an injury-stricken career.