Real Madrid's Woodgate: Nightmare training alone

Jonathan Woodgate says his comeback from a thigh injury is going well at Real Madrid.

The England defender has begun running and will join the rest of the squad later this week.

He told AS: "It would be great to make my debut by the end of the month. But the staff have told me we cannot rush this."

"I've done that before and it has worked out worse for me."

"I am working night and day on my recovery - with a little siesta in the afternoon. I like hard work."

He added, "I am already learning Spanish. Having two countrymen in the squad is a help to me. David (Beckham) was here first and speaks the language and I'm now learning it along with Michael (Owen)."

"I miss not being able to train with my new teammates. It is a nightmare. I enjoy the banter, the jokes - but I have four years to look forward to."