Woodgate blow for Newcastle
Tuesday, April 27, 2004
Article summary
Newcastle United FC have lost Jonathan Woodgate for the rest of the season, and he may miss UEFA EURO 2004™.
Article body
England defender Jonathan Woodgate will miss the rest of season with Newcastle United FC and faces a race to be fit for UEFA EURO 2004™ after suffering a thigh injury.
Torn thigh muscle
The 24-year-old centre-back was taken off 12 minutes from the end of Newcastle's 2-1 victory against Chelsea FC on Sunday. The club announced today that Woodgate would be sidelined for six weeks, saying: "After the injury has been checked out over the last 48 hours it is now confirmed as a torn thigh muscle and [Woodgate] will not play again this season."
Marseille trip
Newcastle travel to Olympique de Marseille for the second leg of their UEFA Cup semi-final on 6 May with the score currently at 0-0, and already have doubts over Kieron Dyer, Craig Bellamy and Jermaine Jenas. Should Newcastle progress, the UEFA Cup final is on 19 May in Gothenberg, by which point the club hope also to have secured fourth place in the Premiership and a UEFA Champions League qualifying berth.
England squad
England are set to announce their 23-man squad for EURO 2004™ on 17 May, although the deadline for confirmation is not until 3 June. Woodgate's importance to the squad has been heightened by the suspension of Rio Ferdinand and injury doubts around Gareth Southgate.
