Here's some really good news.

On the mend: Jonathan Woodgate has been out since last November with a long-term groin injury


Jonathan Woodgate targets January return for Spurs


Simon Johnson




Jonathan Woodgate has set his sights on returning to the Tottenham squad in January after having a third operation to cure a long-term groin injury.





Woodgate, who has been ruled out since last November, is understood to have told close friends that the surgery was a success and is still hopeful of playing in a Spurs shirt again.Manager Harry Redknapp admitted he was fearing for the 30-year-old's career after he suffered another setback in August, which meant he had no choice but to leave him out of his 25-man squad.The former Newcastle and Real Madrid defender had previously gone to the USA and Australia to see specialists and have operations there but with little success.However, it is believed Woodgate, who was signed from Middlesbrough for £7million in January 2008, is much more confident about how his third procedure went. He still faces a battle to return to fitness and prove to Redknapp that his injury problems are behind him once and for all.Under the new Premier League rules, the Spurs boss can make changes to his 25-man squad when the next transfer window opens up in January so time is on Woodgate's side.The club have six players who can play at centre-half on the list and even though Michael Dawson (knee and ankle), William Gallas (abductor muscle) and Younes Kaboul (hamstring) are also on the sidelines, they are all expected to return in the next few weeks. Still, Woodgate isn't giving up hope and Redknapp particularly wants strength in depth at the back due to the ongoing concerns over captain Ledley King's fitness.Meanwhile, striker Jermain Defoe is on course to return from an ankle ligament injury sooner than expected having had the protective boot removed on Wednesday.It was feared Defoe would be ruled out for three months after he sustained the problem in England's 3-1 win in Switzerland in September.But the 28-year-old, who scored 18 League goals last season, is making good progress since having an operation on his ankle and now that the boot has come off, he is expected to begin light training next week.

You have to admit hes got some Balls , took 3 operations

Seriously though good to see he's on the mend, and you have
to hand it to THFC ,they do stick by there wounded

Hope he's on the mend but this is Woody we're talking about !

I thought jim said (according to harry ) that woodys latest op had failed ?

A fit woodgate is one hell of a defender, great player and its a shame that both him and king have long term injury problems because its a dream centre back pairing, good enough for any top 4 prem club anytime.