August 23

August 23, 2002 (Friday) from Jonathan Woodgate Club

Fresh blow for Woody

Jonathan Woodgate's proposed return to first team action looks almost certain to be put on hold after suffering a setback on his return from a knee injury. The 22-year-old suffered a deep gash to his knee during the pre- season game with Rangers at Ibrox that required nine stitches, but had been in training again on Thursday, only to re-open the wound. The news is a double set-back for Woodgate, who had been hoping to get the chance to impress England manager Sven Goran Eriksson before he names his squad for next month's friendly against Portugal. Terry Venables is preparing to face West Bromwich Albion without him. "Jonathan has taken a knock and the wound has opened up again," said Venables, "We won't know how bad it is until the morning but at this stage he's got to be doubtful." There was better news though on the defensive front with Dominic Matteo having recovered from an ankle injury that saw him miss Scotland's friendly with Denmark in midweek. Matteo is expected to resume his centre-back partnership with Lucas Radebe, who picked up the Man of the Match award against Manchester City.

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