Woodgate targets England return

Real Madrid defender Jonathan Woodgate believes his loan move to Middlesbrough can be the springboard for an England recall.

Woodgate, 26, has joined the English Premiership club on a season's loan after Real coach Fabio Capello told him to prove his fitness away from the Bernabeu.

The former Newcastle defender has struggled with a string of injuries since moving to Real and, as a result, has played just five times for England.

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But he insists the switch to his hometown club represents the ideal chance to convince England coach Steve McClaren to bring him back into the international fold.

Woodgate said: "This is an important time for me, I have to play football week in, week out and try to get in the England side.

"My fitness is good, I played in eight of the pre-season games. I just want to play football now."

Meanwhile Middlesbrough chief executive Keith Lamb said he expected Germany defender Robert Huth's move from Chelsea to be completed before the transfer deadline on Thursday night following a last-minute delay.

Lamb said: "The situation with Robert is that the deal is done from all parties, he's signed a contract with Middlesbrough and we have signed an agreement with Chelsea.

"Peter Kenyon (Chelsea's chief executive) is currently engaged on other business and hasn't been able to sign the agreement.

"Technically the deal has not been completed but everyone expects it to be done before the deadline."

Middlesbrough also hoped to sign Jason Euell from Charlton before the transfer deadline.