Tottenham (3/1 to finish in the top four) manager Harry Redknapp wants Jonathan Woodgate to prove his fitness in the next three weeks in order to earn a place in the first-team squad.
Woodgate has not featured for Spurs since November last year and is looking likely to miss out on the 25-man squad that Redknapp will need to select ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
The squad must be selected by the end of August, according to the new guidelines, and the defender is on the verge of missing the cut.
The 30-year-old has had a career which has been marred by injury, which also affected the amount of appearances he has made at international level with England.
Woodgate’s current contract at White Hart Lane is due to run out at the end of this season and Redknapp believes that he may have to look for a replacement central defender, if the former Leeds and Middlesbrough player cannot recover in time.
The Spurs boss admitted: “Woody’s nowhere near at the moment. Nowhere near. It must be really hard for him. He’s nowhere near kicking a ball.
“He’s been out for a year, been in America and Australia, but he’s still nowhere near. I just couldn’t put him in my 25. It’s impossible at the moment.”
Woodgate’s groin injury meant he only featured on three occasions for Spurs last season and was forced to miss the club’s pre-season tour of the United States.
Redknapp, who also has doubts over the fitness of Ledley King, insists the ex-Newcastle man is facing a race against time to make the Spurs squad.
The manager added: “If he doesn’t start playing before the start of the season he’s got no chance.
“You can’t have somebody in who’s never going to play. He’s got to really prove it (that he will be fit) between now and the start of the season.”
Spurs (9/1 to be the highest finishing London club in the Premier League) will look to continue their strong form from last season, which saw them finish fourth in Premier League and secure them a place in the Champions League qualifying stages.
Woodgate must prove fitness
Woodgate has not featured for Spurs since November last year and is looking likely to miss out on the 25-man squad that Redknapp will need to select ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
The squad must be selected by the end of August, according to the new guidelines, and the defender is on the verge of missing the cut.
The 30-year-old has had a career which has been marred by injury, which also affected the amount of appearances he has made at international level with England.
Woodgate’s current contract at White Hart Lane is due to run out at the end of this season and Redknapp believes that he may have to look for a replacement central defender, if the former Leeds and Middlesbrough player cannot recover in time.
The Spurs boss admitted: “Woody’s nowhere near at the moment. Nowhere near. It must be really hard for him. He’s nowhere near kicking a ball.
“He’s been out for a year, been in America and Australia, but he’s still nowhere near. I just couldn’t put him in my 25. It’s impossible at the moment.”
Woodgate’s groin injury meant he only featured on three occasions for Spurs last season and was forced to miss the club’s pre-season tour of the United States.
Redknapp, who also has doubts over the fitness of Ledley King, insists the ex-Newcastle man is facing a race against time to make the Spurs squad.
The manager added: “If he doesn’t start playing before the start of the season he’s got no chance.
“You can’t have somebody in who’s never going to play. He’s got to really prove it (that he will be fit) between now and the start of the season.”
Spurs (9/1 to be the highest finishing London club in the Premier League) will look to continue their strong form from last season, which saw them finish fourth in Premier League and secure them a place in the Champions League qualifying stages.
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