Woodgate shows early promise

Jonathan Woodgate is confident his shocking injury run is behind him after surviving his Stoke City debut.

Woodgate, 31, played 62 minutes for the Potters in a 1-0 defeat against Aldershot and claims that club physios are gearing him up to play a big part in the season.

His previous outing came for Tottenham in February and lasted half an hour before his groin problem flared up once again.

“The backroom staff have been good since I have been here, a week now,” the centre back told the Daily Express.

“They have worked me hard and will keep on doing so. Hopefully it will benefit me for the rest of the season.”

Stoke boss Tony Pulis had planned to take Woodgate off after an hour – and hinted his new defender would not be ready for Thursday’s Europa League tie against Hajduk Split.

But Woodgate, who joined after Stoke’s gruelling pre-season fitness trip to Austria, added he would love to be involved against the Croatian outfit.

“I can only go on whatever the manager thinks but, as a professional footballer, you want to play every game,” Woodgate said.