Post by Taxigirl on May 2, 2004 8:53:49 GMT
www.skysports.com/skysports/article/0,,7-1133551,00.html
Newcastle United defender Jonathan Woodgate has been ruled out of England's Euro 2004 challenge with a torn thigh muscle.
Woodgate suffered the injury in the Premiership victory over Chelsea last weekend and was immediately ruled out of the remainder of Newcastle's campaign.
Magpies boss Sir Bobby Robson then admitted earlier this week that Woodgate was unlikely to have recovered from the injury in time to make the plane to Portugal.
Robson had feared it would be upto three months before Woodgate would be fit again, ruling him out of the European Championship which starts next month in Portugal.
The centre half visited a specialist in muscle tears on Friday, where he learned his thigh would not heal in time to be included in Sven Goran Eriksson's squad.
"Jonathan's injury will need at least two months to repair, that is without him getting involved in any serious training and we don't know how long it will take for him to get fit," said Robson after Newcastle's 1-0 defeat at Manchester City.
"We will have to inform Sven Goran Eriksson because the European Championships are a non-starter.
"He is sorry and we are sorry because we would have liked him to have gone but unfortunately he is not going to make it."
Woodgate's absence from the finals enhances John Terry's claims to partner Sol Campbell at the heart of defence due to Rio Ferdinand's enforced absence.
There is also an additional place in the squad up for grabs, with the likes of Gareth Southgate, Ledley King, Matthew Upson and Wes Brown vying for a spot in the party.
Newcastle United defender Jonathan Woodgate has been ruled out of England's Euro 2004 challenge with a torn thigh muscle.
Woodgate suffered the injury in the Premiership victory over Chelsea last weekend and was immediately ruled out of the remainder of Newcastle's campaign.
Magpies boss Sir Bobby Robson then admitted earlier this week that Woodgate was unlikely to have recovered from the injury in time to make the plane to Portugal.
Robson had feared it would be upto three months before Woodgate would be fit again, ruling him out of the European Championship which starts next month in Portugal.
The centre half visited a specialist in muscle tears on Friday, where he learned his thigh would not heal in time to be included in Sven Goran Eriksson's squad.
"Jonathan's injury will need at least two months to repair, that is without him getting involved in any serious training and we don't know how long it will take for him to get fit," said Robson after Newcastle's 1-0 defeat at Manchester City.
"We will have to inform Sven Goran Eriksson because the European Championships are a non-starter.
"He is sorry and we are sorry because we would have liked him to have gone but unfortunately he is not going to make it."
Woodgate's absence from the finals enhances John Terry's claims to partner Sol Campbell at the heart of defence due to Rio Ferdinand's enforced absence.
There is also an additional place in the squad up for grabs, with the likes of Gareth Southgate, Ledley King, Matthew Upson and Wes Brown vying for a spot in the party.