I couldn't stop Woodgate - Newcastle boss Robson

Newcastle United boss Sir Bobby Robson admits he is stunned at the speed of Jon Woodgate's move to Real Madrid.

Robson joked: "If I was chairman we would have been offering Jonathan Woodgate another contract."

"Ask the chairman why he's gone."

But Robson added: "I'm not cribbing, it's business. It's a huge deal otherwise he would never have been allowed to leave."

"I spoke to Jonathan and wished him luck. I hope he'll show the Madrid people what a great player he is."

"They've got Ronaldo, Zidane, Beckham and Owen. If you were in his shoes what would you do? I don't think you'd think twice about it."

"We are sorry to see him go but might have had an unhappy player on our hands if we'd stopped it."