Newcastle Blamed For Woodgate's failure

By Matthew Jones
November 20 2004

Newcastle United have once again been blamed for Jonathon Woodgate's failure to return to full fitness by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez. The former Magpies defender has not yet played for his new club since signing back in August 2003, and Perez is blaming Newcastle for this.

Perez told AS:

"The information we have demonstrates that he did not properly recover at Newcastle because they forced his recuperation to try and get him fit for the European Championships.

"We have consulted the five or six best doctors in the world on this matter. We are going to do what they have told us.

"Until January, Woodgate will not play.

"After what has happened, it's better to be sure that he has recovered properly, and he will not come back until the second half of the season."