Woodgate out of action again

Jonathan Woodgate's calf injury suffered in Real Madrid CF's 1-0 defeat by Arsenal FC is not as bad as first feared but it is not yet known when he will return to action.

Medical tests
The 26-year-old English international, who had been hoping for a run in the team to improve his international chances, picked up the fourth injury of his Madrid career early in last night's game and had to be substituted in the ninth minute. After extensive medical tests this morning, doctors found that he had not torn the muscle in his left leg despite initial concerns to the contrary.

'Terrible for him'
"It's devastating for him, but I don't think it's a major strain - I think it's his hamstring again," said team-mate and England captain David Beckham. "It must be terrible for him personally." Woodgate will begin a personal rehabilitation programme but it is thought he will miss at least a month. He has been plagued by muscular problems since recovering from a serious thigh problem in September that had kept him on the sidelines for 19 months.