ANDY O'Brien last night insisted that Jonathan Woodgate was right to leave Newcastle, despite describing his partnership with the centre-half as one of the highlights of his career.

Woodgate spent yesterday in the Spanish capital undergoing a four-hour medical, which he passed with flying colours, and finalising the small print of his £13.4m move to Real Madrid.

The 24-year-old has signed a four-year deal with the Spanish giants just 18 months after making a similarly high-profile move to Tyneside from former club Leeds United.

Sir Bobby Robson hailed that transfer as one of the most significant in Newcastle's recent history and, while Woodgate's time at the club was dogged by injury, the England international's class was clearly evident during his limited appearances in a black and white shirt.

United's fans are split over the merits of the Woodgate transfer, with some feeling that Real's offer was too good to turn down while others argue that the decision to sell a prize asset heralds a return to Newcastle's status as a selling club in the late 1980s.

O'Brien accepts Woodgate will be severely missed but argues neither the player, nor the club, can be blamed for this week's events.

"It's a fantastic move for Jonathan," said O'Brien, who is likely to partner Aaron Hughes this afternoon as Newcastle turn their attentions back to the field of play with a home game against Spurs. "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to move to the biggest club in the world.

"The fans will be absolutely devastated to see him go, but the club has decided that the money is too good to turn down and you can understand their decision.

"People have raved about him when he has played, but in a subdued market I suppose the club feels the money offer is too good. They will make a big profit on his transfer and no doubt they will be looking to strengthen by using some of that money.

"When Jonathan was fit and in full swing he was an amazing player for the club and I will always regard playing alongside him as one of the highlights of my career."

Woodgate's departure leaves O'Brien as one of just three established centre-halves at the club and, with Titus Bramble and Steven Taylor currently injured, the Republic of Ireland international is the only one available for this afternoon's visit of Spurs.

Hughes is comfortable at the heart of the backline, despite spending most of his Newcastle career at right-back, but Robbie Elliott is still seen as something of a last resort despite his solid showing at the Riverside last weekend.

Robson is almost certain to strengthen before the transfer window closes on August 31 but, even with the addition of a new face, O'Brien and Bramble will be expected to carry most of the defensive weight this season.

"We all have to make sure we react in the right way," admitted O'Brien. "We have to give the boss everything we can during the season.

"Robbie gave a terrific performance at centre-half last weekend and Aaron has shown he can play really well there too.

"We have Titus and myself coming back and hopefully we can all gel together to make the defence as good, if not better, than last year."

It should not be forgotten that most of that last year was spent with Woodgate on the treatment table. Real's latest acquisition made just 39 Newcastle appearances during his year and a half on Tyneside and has not played 20 games in a row since 2001.

And, while Woodgate impressed in the short time he was on the field last season, the Magpies did not defend badly without him.

Robson's side conceded just 40 Premiership goals in the whole of the last campaign - a record that was only bettered by Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool.

That didn't stop Newcastle's backline coming under fire though, with O'Brien and Bramble being subjected to a barrage of criticism as the Magpies threw a host of points away on their travels.

"I think the defence gets a lot of unfair criticism at Newcastle," argued O'Brien, who pulled out of Ireland's squad for Wednesday's friendly with Bulgaria in order to protect himself for today's game.

"Everyone goes on about what a great defence Middlesbrough have, but the stats tell you that we were much better than them last year.

"We conceded only 40 goals and they let in 52, but we never seem to get the credit for that."

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