Woodgate sad to be missing Barcelona game

Real Madrid defender Jonathan Woodgate is disappointed he will miss his first derby between Real and Barcelona, after suffering a hamstring injury in Sunday's Primera Liga game against Real Zaragoza.

"I am sad, really sad, because I wanted to play in the match against Barcelona," Woodgate told the club's website on Tuesday.

"Every player wants to play in this game, between the best two clubs in the world."

The 25-year-old will be sidelined for up to four weeks with his latest injury, which came just when he appeared to be finding his feet again after 18 months out with a thigh injury.

"It's a pity I can't continue playing at the moment because I was just getting back into the rhythm of competitive matches again," he added.

"I was pleased with how I was doing."

The latest setback also denied him the chance of a call-up to the England squad for this week's friendly against Argentina.

However, the former Leeds United and Newcastle United centre back was relieved the injury was not linked to the thigh injury that kept him out of action for the whole of last season.

"This injury has nothing to do with the old one which was very important news for me," said Woodgate. "I have completely recovered from that one."

Woodgate joins a long list of Real players out with injury.

Brazilian forwards Ronaldo and Julio Baptista, France midfielder Zinedine Zidane, Denmark's Thomas Gravesen and Spain's Ivan Helguera are all struggling to be fit for the Barcelona match.

Real host Barca in the Bernabeu on Nov 19. in the first league game after the international break.