Don't Rule Out Woodgate Signing!

Although Roeder interviewed the ex-Leeds defender for a return to Tyneside, it is thought the idea came from Freddy Shepherd, who put the wheels in motion.

And if the truth was known, Roeder was far from happy that Shepherd went over his head to sign a player that was allegedly not on Roeder's shopping list.

Which explains why Woodgate said at the time "Garth Southgate made it very clear he WANTED to sign me, and I never got that feeling from Glenn Roeder, who kept asking if I was still injured".

Middlesbrough-born Woodgate, who celebrated his 28th birthday yesterday, agreed a £7million permanent switch to the Riverside Stadium from Real Madrid towards the end of last season after a injury-hit career at the Bernabeu.

He signed a four-year deal after regaining his best form and returned to the England set up.

Keegan handed Woodgate his senior international debut against Bulgaria back in 1999.

He could be prepared to offer striker Shola Ameobi in a deal to secure the defender's return, a player Boro boss Gareth Southgate has tried to sign.