'Woodgate nearing full fitness' - Real
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-06-24 10:08

Real Madrid are confident defender Jonathan Woodgate will finally be ready to make his first-team debut at the start of next season.

The 25-year-old has not played for Real since signing from Newcastle United for ￡13.4million last August because of an ongoing thigh problem.

Although he has already failed to meet a number of projected return dates, the England international is now training alone in Madrid and director of sport Arrigo Sacchi expects him to be back to full fitness in time for their tour of USA, China and Japan.

"The doctors say that he will make a full recovery," Sacchi told national radio station Cadenaser.

"Those of us at Real Madrid are really looking forward to that and he will be a really important 'signing' for us as we prepare for next season."

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