But Robson, who has 11 days to find a replacement for the player he described as the Premiership's best defender, said he could not deny Woodgate the opportunity to join fellow England internationals David Beckham and Michael Owen at the Bernabeu. Woodgate, who is out for at least three more weeks with a torn thigh muscle, will have a medical in Madrid today before being unveiled to supporters. He flew to the Spanish capital from Munich where he has undergone specialist treatment on complex mobility problems.
