Wooodgate's contract clause

Woodgate signed a five year deal with the Magpies last week but United demanded that when the two sides clash at Elland Road on February 22nd that the England defender, if fit by then, plays no part.

"Obviously it's quite political if Jonathan came back to Elland Road so soon after leaving," club secretary Ian Sylvester told BBC Sport Online.

"We just agreed that we didn't want that to happen. The player's not fit anyway so I don't think it's an issue.

"It's something Leeds United wanted so the chairman asked me to put it in the agreement. Newcastle were quite happy to go along with it."