NEW INJURY WORRY FOR WOODGATE.

Middlesbrough defender Jonathan Woodgate is undergoing treatment after picking up an injury in training.

The 26-year-old, currently on loan to his home-town club from Real Ma, is understood to have been under the care of the club's medics for the last couple of days.

Boro were not commenting on the situation amid reports Woodgate will be sidelined for up to three weeks by a groin problem.

However, it is understood the injury could involve his thigh.

The Middlesbrough-born England international has been plagued by fitness problems for the last three years.

He joined Real in a �13.4million move from Newcastle in August 2004 as he continued his recovery from a torn thigh muscle which proved to be more problematical than was first thought.

Indeed, he managed only 14 matches for the Spanish side in two seasons because of injuries and was allowed to join Boro on loan by new manager Fabio Capello in a bid to prove his fitness.

Such has been Woodgate's form for Boro - he was outstanding in his debut as the Teessiders grabbed a 1-1 Barclays Premiership draw at Arsenal and has barely put a foot wrong since - England boss Steve McClaren admitted he only just missed out on an international recall for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Macedonia and Croatia.

Manager Gareth Southgate, who will not release Woodgate for international duty until he is convinced he can cope with two games in a week, will hope his latest injury is only a minor one.

The defender worked all summer to regain full fitness and has a tailor-made exercise regime designed to protect him from the kind of strains and tears which have affected him in the past.

Ironically, if he is sidelined for some time he could miss the derby visit of former club Newcastle to the Riverside Stadium on October 22.

The Magpies considered a loan move for the player during the transfer window but manager Glenn Roeder was concerned about his fitness record.