In-form Woodgate confident of shock result at Old Trafford

JONATHAN Woodgate this week challenged his Tottenham team-mates to blow open the Premier League title race by beating Manchester United on Saturday.

Spurs go into the teatime clash at Old Trafford on the back of four wins from their past five games - a run which also keeps Harry Redknapp's side in the hunt for a top-seven finish this season.

And Woodgate, who is playing some of the best football of his career, is confident the Lilywhites can spring a shock result. "Our record against the top four is impeccable," Woodgate told Ham&High Sport.

"We have not been beaten by any of the top four sides in the league this season. We have beaten Liverpool and Chelsea and drawn with Arsenal and United.

"United are going for the title and they will be putting out a full strength side, so we have to play well. It will be very tough but we know we have a good squad here.

"We are just one point off seventh place, and I don't half fancy our chances of finishing there. We can do it."

Woodgate could be the only recognised centre half available for Redknapp's side at Old Trafford, with both Ledley King and Michael Dawson struggling to be fit.

King sustained a knock on a knee in the win over West Ham on April 11, while Dawson was carried off with an ankle injury during the first half of Sunday's 1-0 win over Newcastle at the Lane.

If both players are ruled out, Woodgate is likely to be partnered by Vedran Corluka, who moved from right back to central defence after Dawson's injury against the Magpies.

But Woodgate has all but given up hope of reclaiming a place in the England squad under Fabio Capello, who was at the Lane for the first half of Sunday's game.

Asked whether he was hopeful of an international return Woodgate said: "I'm not really. It's just about the way I'm playing for Spurs. That's enough for me."

Woodgate's last cap for his country came in the 3-0 friendly win over Trinidad &Tobago last June.

pat.mooney@hamhigh.co.uk

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