English defender Jonathan Woodgate said that he wants to stay at Real Madrid next season, denying news that he wanted a move back to the Premiership. "I owe Real Madrid a lot for standing by me and in return want to come back as a first team player next season," Woodgate told Spanish magazine AS on Friday. The former Leeds and Newcastle United player made his $25.5-million move to the Bernabeu two years ago, but a persistent thigh injury kept him out for all of his first season at the club, and only played nine times this season. Earlier reports suggested that Woodgate was seeking a comeback to English football, with former club Newcastle favorites to reacquire his services, but the 26-year-old confirmed that he'll be staying with Real and is currently working on his fitness to be ready for next season's start. "I still want to succeed at Real and am going to work hard to make that happen, I know it'll be a tough summer but it will all be worth it in the end " Woodgate said.
