LEEDS UNITED have succeeded in barring Jonathan Woodgate from embarking upon a potentially explosive return by blocking the defender from making his Newcastle United debut at Elland Road on February 22.

With Leeds fans furious at chairman Peter Ridsdale for sanctioning the £9m sale of Woodgate last week, the Yorkshire club forced Newcastle to agree to a clause in his contract that precludes him from playing in the forthcoming match between the sides.

West Ham United rejected a similar request concerning Lee Bowyer when he moved to London last month, so the midfielder is available for this Saturday's Premiership fixture at Elland Road.

However, Newcastle acceded to Leeds' demand over Woodgate - who is making a steady return to full fitness after suffering a thigh injury and came through a light training session on Tuesday.

Leeds club secretary Ian Sylvester said: "Obviously, it would be quite political if Jonathan came back to Elland Road so soon after leaving.

"We just agreed that we didn't want that to happen. It's something Leeds wanted, so the chairman asked me to put it in the agreement.

"West Ham didn't want to go along with it regarding Lee Bowyer, but Newcastle didn't have a problem with it."

With Woodgate also ineligible for Newcastle's Champions League campaign, the 23-year-old could now make his first appearance in a black and white shirt at home to Chelsea on March 1.

* Another Tees-Tyne derby at the Riverside was frozen off last night.

After Saturday's Premiership game was controversially called off last Friday, last night it was the turn of the reserves to fall foul of the weather.

Boro had the Riverside pitch covered - but the playing surface froze after the covers were removed. "The club did everything possible to get the game on,'' said a Boro spokesman.

Boro were due to field new Brazilian signing Doriva, while Newcastle's Gary Speed was planning his return after a hernia op.