Woodgate Off to See Specialist

By Matthew Jones
August 14 2004

Newcastle United and England international Jonathan Woodgate will miss Saturday's Premiership opener away at Middlesbrough due to an injury picked up at the end of last season. Four months later, the defender is still not fit and it is time to call on the specialists!

Woodgate will see a specialist next week to try and solve the lenghthy groin problem.

Magpies' manager sir Bobby Robson had this to say:

"We are all very disappointed at not having Jonathan with us when we go to Middlesbrough.

"But that's nothing to what he is feeling. He is a Middlesbrough lad and he is absolutely devastated that he won't be there.

"We have found the best specialist we can find and that's where he will be going next week.

"His injury is at a sticking point at the moment. He needs help and that's what we are going to get him."