++ [ originally posted by Nicole ] ++
Jonathan Woodgate is set to miss the rest of Real Madrid's season because of injury, BBC Sport has learned.
The 25-year-old has a ruptured tendon as well as a thigh muscle tear.
The England international defender has not played for Madrid since joining the Spanish giants from Newcastle for £13.4m in August 2004.
"Jonathan Woodgate is out for the rest of the season. Medical tests will continue on his injured muscle," said a Real Madrid spokeswoman.
Woodgate, who suffered the injury last April, appeared ready to make his Madrid debut last October but then suffered a recurrence.
Madrid's medical officers reportedly came under pressure from club president Florentino Pérez to rush Woodgate back to fitness.
Woodgate looks likely to undergo surgery in the summer and some reports suggest the injury is more serious than originally diagnosed and could jeopardise the defender's career.