Woodgate England all-clear

JONATHAN WOODGATE will be cleared to stake his World Cup claim once he has completed his 100 hours' community service. 

Sven Goran Eriksson is winning his personal campaign at the FA to select the 21-year-old defender and has pencilled him in for a return to the international fold against Italy in front of his home fans at Elland Road in March. 

The England coach was at Leeds' 3-0 defeat of West Ham on New Year's Day to watch the young defender's latest efforts to rebuilding his shattered career. 

Eriksson was also involved in discussions with Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale - a member of the FA's international committee - in which he outlined his determination to restore Woodgate and team-mate Lee Bowyer to the England squad. The international ban on Bowyer has been lifted following his acquittal at Hull Crown Court last month and he is likely to be included for the friendly against Holland on February 13. 

The FA have been divided on whether Woodgate, because of his conviction for affray, should be allowed to represent his country again and add to the single cap he collected under Kevin Keegan. 

But last night an FA spokesman said: "All that has been said on the record up to now is that, following the outcome of the trial, Lee Bowyer is available to be considered again. No decision has been made on Jonathan Woodgate, but it would be safe to say the matter will be re-addressed after he has finished his community service." 

The FA also stressed that the civil action by Sarfraz Najeib's family against the players and Leeds United will not prevent the pair from representing England. 

Woodgate has already done 15 hours of his community service - helping children paint a local youth centre - and could complete it in time to be considered for the Holland game. But Eriksson would prefer to ease him back alongside team-mate Rio Ferdinand in front of his home crowd. 

Leeds boss David O'Leary said: "I don't want to get involved in the England situation, but I know that the two of them are going to be the future of this club for many years. 

"Jonathan's career stopped for two years, but he has the ability to be as good as Rio. 

"Now it is up to him to prove that."

since 17/6/2001

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