Boro confident in Woodgate race
Gareth Southgate is keen to bring Woodgate back to the Premiership
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Tuesday, 29, Aug 2006 10:36
Middlesbrough are confident they will pip Newcastle in the race to secure the loan signing of Real Madrid and England defender Jonathan Woodgate.
Boro boss Gareth Southgate has been after an experienced centre-back all summer and he was reminded of his side's defensive frailties last night as Portsmouth hammered them 4-0 at the Riverside.
But now 26-year-old Woodgate could be about to solve the crisis after holding talks with his hometown club over a season's loan yesterday.
Southgate confirmed: "We've had discussions with him and he wants time to think about what he wants to do.
"I'm quite hopeful. We've done everything we can to try to make it happen. I hope to get some positive news on it tomorrow."
Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder is also keen on bringing Woodgate back to St James' Park but Southgate believes his offer can tempt the former Leeds man to Boro.
"I'm not actually sure what the decision is or who else is involved but the talks we held were very positive and we've made it clear we want to bring him here if at all positive," he added.
Should Woodgate opt for Tyneside over Teesside, however, Chelsea's German international Robert Huth, subject to a £5 million bid from Boro earlier this summer, would most likely be offered another chance to make the move.
"We're still actively talking with a couple of other clubs," Southgate said. "The window closes on Thursday night and I'm confident we will have a body or bodies in by then. We're in discussions with different players in different positions and that hasn't altered."