Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has confirmed Jonathan Woodgate is to have one last operation to salvage his career. The 30-year-old defender has been dogged by injury since making his debut as an 18-year-old at Leeds and his latest setback has seen him sidelined since last November.
The former Real Madrid, Middlesbrough and Newcastle centre-back has been battling to overcome a troublesome groin injury.
Redknapp admitted that if surgery proves unsuccessful, it could force Woodgate to hang up his boots.
"It's so sad for Jonathan," he told Sky Sports News. "He's such a good player and a great lad as well.
"He's been all round the world really, trying to find a cure for this groin problem.
"He's seen two specialists and he's going to get one more opinion, but they seem to be of the opinion that the only chance is an operation.
"If he has the op then he's going to be out for quite a long time again before he'll be fit to play.
"But whatever it takes, we'll back him 100 per cent. We'd love to see him back.
"We just hope he can get it sorted. No-one could have tried harder than he's tried - he's give it everything he's got.
"It's amazing. He just can't find a cure for it at the moment, and the operation seems the last chance."
