Good news for Woody

Last updated : 15 February 2004 By Martyn Elliott

Sven-Goran Eriksson has made it clear that either Woody or Chelsea’s John Terry will line up alongside Sol Campbell in the summer, in the absence of Rio Ferdinand.

He told the FA’s official website: “On Wednesday, it will be John Terry and Sol Campbell. Then we have to see further on about Woodgate as well. It's a pity that he's injured. He's very unlucky. He's doing very well but every time we play, he is injured.


I'm sure that any club or national team would miss Rio Ferdinand. I think he was the best or at least one of the best central defenders at the World Cup. He played in all the games and was fantastic. So of course if you don't have players like that, you miss them on the pitch.

I think it's a nice race between Terry and Woodgate to show me who's going to play there. There will be others as well but from what I see today, it's going to be one of those two. Southgate is playing well, he's another one. As for young players, there is Gardner - who's injured now I think - Zak Knight and Wes Brown.”

Should Woody be first choice for England? Have your say