Woodgate goes under knife

Spurs defender battling to recover from groin problem

By Rob Parrish   Last updated: 12th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Woodgate goes under knife

Woodgate: Groin surgery

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Tottenham defender Jonathan Woodgate has been forced to undergo further surgery in a bid to cure a worrying groin problem.

The injury-hit centre-back has made just three appearances for Spurs this season and, after visiting specialists in America and Australia, has had an operation Down Under as he looks to regain full fitness.

Harry Redknapp did not give a timetable on when the former Leeds, Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Real Madrid man would return, but he is highly unlikely to feature again this season.

Redknapp told Sky Sports: "Jonathan Woodgate has had an operation out in Australia today, so we will keep our fingers crossed.

"It was a groin problem he has had. Eventually he went to America and has ended up in Australia to see a specialist out there and they have operated on him.

"There were a couple of options but they confident they have got the right answer so we will have to wait and see. Will he play again this season? There is no real chance."

Redknapp has been hit by injuries to key players as Spurs chase a top-four finish and FA Cup final glory, with Ledley King (thigh), Aaron Lennon (groin), Jermaine Jenas (groin) and Tom Huddlestone (ankle) all out of action.

King call

None of the quartet will be involved in Saturday's Premier League clash with Blackburn at White Hart Lane, which is live on Sky Sports HD1 and 1.

Redknapp added: "Jermaine Jenas is probably the closest. He has had a hernia operation. He has started to do a bit of running, so hopefully he won't be too long.

"We're hopeful that Tom Huddlestone will be back as well pretty soon.

"Aaron has not started outside work again yet, he is not running or anything, so we will have to wait and see with him."

King has been tipped as a contender for an England call-up ahead of the World Cup despite a chronic knee problem which restricts his training and appearances.

Redknapp believes that if the centre-back can get back in action in the remaining weeks of the season he could well come into Fabio Capello's thoughts.

He added: "Ledley will be fit hopefully in the next week or two, and when he is fit I think he has got a fair chance.

"The England manager knows what a great player he is and if Ledley can be available I would love to see him go."