Jonathan Woodgate making injury progress
Tottenham Hotspur defender Jonathan Woodgate is making progress on an injury that has kept him out of the game for the last year.
Woodgate has been struggling with a groin problem and Spurs manager Harry Redknapp says the defender's future at the club was in doubt during pre-season. However, Redknapp has revealed that Woodgate is
making progress after seeing a variety of specialists.
"Jonathan has worked hard, had a good month and the physios have been very encouraged by the work he's done,"
Redknapp told the Sunday Mirror.
The problem Woodgate now faces is his physical fitness. He has not been able to train with the rest of the first team squad since the injury against Wigan at White Hart
Lane last season.
This means his physical fitness will be much lower than other players in the club. He will have to go through a vigorous fitness schedule before he is even allowed to pass
footballs around with his teammates.
"He's got to go through pre-season; there's real light at the end of
the tunnel," added Redknapp.
Redknapp says the good news is nothing more than Woodgate deserves for all of the effort he has put in when his career looked as though it may be called to a premature
end. He says he has complete admiration for Woodgate's mental strength.
Woodgate seems to be one of the most popular players in the football club and he remains a very good central defender. The effect he will have on the first team if he does
return will be similar to a brand new player walking into the squad.
"No one could have tried harder than him. Things are finally looking
positive for him," said Redknapp.
Betting advice
Don't be fooled into thinking Woodgate will be in the Spurs team within a few weeks. There is still a long way for him to go before a reserve game is even possible. However,
he will add quality and strength to the club's defence and this will mean Spurs has a much better chance of winning more games.
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