Real Madrid president confident of Woodgate future

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez insists defender Jonathan Woodgate has a future at the club.

A lingering thigh injury has prevented the England international from making his debut for Real this season after his shock August move from Newcastle United.

Perez has taken flak from the local press over the decision to sign Woodgate ahead of Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro, but he said: "On Cannavaro, we would never consider signing him. It is not a Real Madrid policy to sign players over 30 years of age.

"For Woodgate, I believe there was a poor understanding of his injury. But now, happily, we are seeing him in a good way. I am convinced he will be one of the best defenders for Madrid."

"We received information on his injury that did not match the reality, but we have confronted that and we hope from the start of next season he can starting playing."