Southgate has no regrets over Woodgate move

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Woodgate faces his former team-mates today for the first time following his £8million move and Southgate is convinced he has adequate replacements for the England defender in David Wheater, Robert Huth and Emanuel Pogatetz.

Scroll down to read more:

Gamble: But Gareth Southgate has no regrets about losing Jonathan Woodgate to Spurs

The Middlesbrough boss said: "It was a gamble and only time will tell if it was the right decision or not, but we felt it was something we had to do at the time, not only because we had some young players coming through and it would be difficult to limit their opportunities.

"I don't feel there's a need to vindicate it. We know the talent of Jonathan Woodgate, but at the time he felt he needed a move. 'He felt a bit disillusioned with things here and I understand that."

Woodgate scored the winner for Tottenham in the Carling Cup Final and Southgate concedes the chance to win trophies was a big factor in the move.

"If you've been at a club like Real Madrid and come here and you're not challenging for things or challenging for Europe, then I think that can be difficult to come to terms with," he said. "Jonathan has been involved with the international set-up and wants to play his football at the right end of the table.

"We all want that. Our younger players have got time to get there, he perhaps felt he needed it more immediately.

"Sometimes there's a natural progression for both parties that it's the right thing to do at that time. You have to part and wish each other good luck."