Woodgate included in Real squad for match v MLS All-Stars

Defender Jonathan Woodgate has been included in the Real Madrid squad to face the Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Stars in the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy on Tuesday.

"At the moment the plan is for Woodgate to play a game on Wednesday to help him build his confidence. I have not decided whether he will play tomorrow or not," Real coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo said on Monday.

It is the first time the 25-year-old Briton has been called into Real's squad since moving from Newcastle United last August for around 20 million euros ($24.95 million).

The central defender has not played a competitive game since tearing a thigh muscle while playing for Newcastle against Chelsea in April 2004.

He was close to making his Real debut last October before suffering a recurrence of the injury in training which ruled him out for the rest of last season.

Luxemburgo has said he will organise a series of training games against Real's youth team players as part of Woodgate's recovery programme, before risking him in a competitive match.