Woodgate has five weeks.

To be honest if he cant get fit by the end of August or even show progress as he cant even kick a ball at the moment, then i think it may be time to let him go....he will never be the same player and he has been out way too long.

I really do think we need to start looking for 2 strong proven centre backs, we have to the point that we can hold on to sentiment and unfortunately i do include ledley with that....we are on the verge of competing in the champions league and we need to have a stable back four!!! Also if we chop and change our back four all the time how can our keeper feel competent and have full faith with who is in front of him .....I love Ledley in defence but i think he is not able to play the season with have coming up this year

Boycey wrote:To be honest if he cant get fit by the end of August or even show progress as he cant even kick a ball at the moment, then i think it may be time to let him go....he will never be the same player and he has been out way too long.

I really do think we need to start looking for 2 strong proven centre backs, we have to the point that we can hold on to sentiment and unfortunately i do include ledley with that....we are on the verge of competing in the champions league and we need to have a stable back four!!! Also if we chop and change our back four all the time how can our keeper feel competent and have full faith with who is in front of him .....I love Ledley in defence but i think he is not able to play the season with have coming up this year

i mean we have come to the point and we cant hold sentiment....sorry guys..lol

its a shame but hes had so long to rest hes back. its such a shame as hes such a good defender and i hope he sorts it out

Copy & pasted below an outline of the new 25 to a squad system coming into force this season. The reason why Woody has been given 5 whole weeks to prove his fitness . . . . .

In and around this year's usual summer transfer gossip, you may have noticed the mention of 25-man squads and home-grown player quotas.
The 2010-11 Premier League season will see top flight clubs forced to comply with rules over the size and make-up of their squads.
The Premier League says the new rules are designed to increase the number of young 'home-grown' players in the Premier League, with a long-term aim of giving more options to the England manager.
But what will they actually mean in practice?
- Clubs register a squad of up to 25 players, which must include at least eight 'home-grown' players, at the end of each transfer window.
- Home-grown players do not have to be English; home-grown players are defined as those who "irrespective of nationality or age, have been affiliated to the FA or Welsh FA for a period of three seasons or 36 months prior to 21st birthday"
- Clubs can supplement squad with unlimited number of players under the age of 21.
- Changes can be made only during transfer windows, although in exceptional circumstances (eg goalkeeping injury crisis) moves could be allowed.
- Players loaned to Football League clubs cannot be replaced, but can regain their spot on return to parent club.
- Rules apply only to Premier League matches, not European, FA Cup or League Cup action.
- First deadline is 1700 BST on 1 September (24 hours after end of August transfer window).