Jonathan Woodgate has admitted he has dropped out of contention for an England recall despite his fine recent form for Tottenham.

The former Real Madrid defender is playing some of the best football of his career, and had another solid game in front of England coach Fabio Capello as Spurs beat his old club Newcastle 1-0 on Sunday.

Woodgate's last cap for his country came during the 3-0 friendly win over Trinidad & Tobago last June, and Spurs boss Harry Redknapp called for the 29-year-old to be chosen for last month's matches against Slovakia and Ukraine.

But Woodgate has fallen behind players like Everton pair Joleon Lescott and Phil Jagielka in the race for central defensive place.

Asked whether he was hopeful of an international return, Woodgate said: “I'm not, really. It's just about the way I'm playing for Spurs. That's enough for me.

“I just want to win things. We know we have a good squad here. We are one point off seventh place, and I fancy our chances of finishing there. We can do it.

“We haven't been beaten by any of the top sides in the League this season, and we have beaten Liverpool and Chelsea. Our record against the top four is impeccable, but United will put out a strong side, and it will be very tough.”

Woodgate could be the only recognised centre-back available at Old Trafford this Saturday, with both King and Michael Dawson struggling.

King suffered a bang to his knee in the 1-0 win over West Ham on 11 April, while Dawson is waiting for the swelling around his injured ankle, acquired after he fell against Newcastle on Sunday, to reduce before he can have a scan to assess the extent of the damage.