JONATHAN WOODGATE last night claimed Newcastle United's inability to persuade him to turn down a move to Middlesbrough in favour of a return to St James' Park in the summer had backfired on his former club.

On the eve of the 119th Tyne-Tees derby, Magpies boss Glenn Roeder intimated that a 'crystal ball' would have been required to have foreseen Woodgate remaining injury free for the vast majority of the campaign.

It was those doubts surrounding the player last summer, when Real Madrid were prepared to listen to offers, that had Roeder questioning whether or not to sign someone whose quality was never under scrutiny.

The Newcastle boss also claimed not to have met the England centre-back, although Woodgate suggested otherwise and hinted it was Gareth Southgate's powers of persuasion that convinced him Teesside was the place to be.

Roeder had spoken earlier yesterday of having reservations about Woodgate's fitness, after making just 12 appearances in two years for Real, when he was plagued by thigh and hamstring problems.

"That's fair enough, that is Glenn's opinion, but obviously it might have backfired on him a bit," said Woodgate, who has made 27 starts for Middlesbrough since making his debut at Arsenal on September 9.

"I have come to Boro and stayed fit. I knew I would stay fit because I had done a pre-season at Madrid, probably the hardest I have ever done.

"I played in all the pre-season games and had been working hard off the field every day with Dave Hancock (his personal fitness coach). I came to Boro and knew they had a great medical team behind them.

"Newcastle wanted me because they spoke to me. I don't know if they wanted me as much as Boro. At the end of the day, it was my choice. I chose Boro and I made the right decision.

"I talked to both Newcastle and Boro. They seemed keen enough but I liked the way Steve Gibson and Gareth Southgate were. Glenn seemed like a really nice bloke and so is the Newcastle chairman (Freddy Shepherd) but I decided to opt for Boro. I am from here and the manager and chairman were really good."

Woodgate's return to St James' today is likely to receive a mixed reception from a home crowd disappointed when he left for the Bernabeu for £13.4m in August 2004.

Injuries also played their part during his career under Sir Bobby Robson at Newcastle, when he made 37 appearances during an 18-month spell after moving from Leeds United in January 2003.

His performances ensured he was held in high regard by the Geordies, although he is quite adamant he should not be hailed for his time there.

"I wasn't a hero at Newcastle. That would be someone like Jackie Milburn or Alan Shearer," said the 27-year-old.

Woodgate's appearance at Newcastle has arrived at a time when the Magpies have been once again mentioned as a possible destination for the defender in the summer.

With Real seemingly ready to cash in on him, rather than have him back at the Bernabeu, Middlesbrough remain desperate to turn his season-long loan into a permanent arrangement. But with Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea all able to offer Champions League football and looking for defensive reinforcements, they face a difficult task.

"I will make a decision at the end of the season but at the moment I am extremely happy and still have a contract at Madrid," said Woodgate.

"I have certainly not ruled out a move to another Premier League club but I am a Madrid player now, on loan at Boro. I still have affection for Newcastle. They bought me from Leeds and gave me a chance to play for them. I enjoyed my time there and I still care for them."