Woodgate Out for Everton Clash


By Matthew Jones
September 12 2003

Jonathon Woodgate is set to miss the Everton clash on Saturday through stomach stain. It was thought that he would have to have an operation on his hernia, but Sir Bobby Robson has denied that. However, Robson is not expecting him to play on Sat. Newcastle United's bargian defender Jonathan Woodgate is set to miss out on Saturday's clash with Everton as he has so far failed to shrug off a stomach strain.

The England international has only started one league game so far this season, due to a problem which many fear result in him requiring a hernia operation.

Sir Bobby Robson has denied reports claiming that surgery is needed, but is not expecting Woodgate to play at Goodison Park.

"The problem is a lot better but still not quite right," said Robson. "I don't want to risk him before the injury is absolutely healed because that could set him back yet again.

"So Saturday may come too early for Jonathan, although we'll make a critical decision on that after training on Friday.

"But it's not a hernia - it's in a different area of the stomach to that."

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