Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Woodgate left out of Spurs squad

Jonathan Woodgate celebrates
Woodgate scored the winner in Spurs' 2008 Carling Cup triumph

Jonathan Woodgate's future is further in doubt after Tottenham left the 30-year-old defender out of their 25-man Premier League squad because of injury.

But Manchester United have included injury-plagued midfielder Owen Hargreaves while striker Roque Santa Cruz makes Manchester City's roster.

Stoke have omitted forward Mamady Sidibe, who snapped an Achilles tendon.

Arsenal have not listed any Englishmen but Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere are among the English under-21 contingent.

Michael Kightly has also been left out of Wolves' squad for the first half of the season because of knee problems.

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The 24-year-old winger has not played since November 2009 and is likely to be sent out on loan once he is fully fit.

Hargreaves has made only a solitary substitute appearance in the last two years for Manchester United as he battles tendinitis.

Santa Cruz figures in City manager Roberto Mancini's 25-man Premier League squad, despite much speculation that the Paraguayan striker would not.

Santa Cruz joins up with Mario Balotelli, Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor and Jo in a fearsome array of firepower which will be at Mancini's disposal.

The new Premier League rule required clubs to name a squad of 25 senior players by 1700 BST, 1 September, with only players under the age of 21 allowed to supplement that line-up until January.

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.

In August Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp said Woodgate might be forced to retire unless he underwent surgery on his injured groin.

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"He's been all around the world, he's seen two specialists and he's going to get one more opinion," said Redknapp.

"No-one could have tried harder but he just can't find a cure for it. The operation seems a last chance."

Former England defender Woodgate made only three appearances last season and has not played since November 2009.

Also omitted from the Spurs squad submitted to the Premier League today was goalkeeper Ben Alnwick, with new loan signing Stipe Pletikosa now providing back-up to Heurelho Gomes and Carlo Cudicini.

Winger Kightly has made a big impact since joining Wolves from non-league Grays Athletic in 2007.

However, he was plagued by injury for the last year, suffering a broken foot, an ankle problem and then a knee injury that has sidelined him since November.

"It will take as long as it takes, and there's no time limit on it," manager Mick McCarthy told the club website.

"When he's ready we'll be able to discuss the possibility of going out on loan, which he can do before we have a chance to revise the squad in January."

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Stephen Hunt, who is recovering from foot surgery, has been included along with new recruit Marcus Bent, a deadline day loan signing from Birmingham, who has now joined his 14th team.

The 32-year-old says he thinks he can still make an impact at the highest level.

"Once you stop believing in yourself you might as well hang up your boots," he said.

"As a footballer, you try and push yourself every day to achieve more and more. I'll never stop learning. I might be one of the older members of the squad here but I can still get better. I am sure the boys will teach me some stuff and hopefully I can teach them some stuff."

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