JONATHAN WOODGATE is praying his injury nightmare is finally over and he can now begin to repay Newcastle's £9m investment in him.

Woodgate returned to the international stage on Wednesday night in England's 1-0 defeat in Sweden after a near-18-month absence.

The Middlesbrough-born centre-back collected only his fifth cap since making his England debut under Kevin Keegan in Bulgaria in June 1999.

But his appearance, and that of central defensive rival John Terry, was cut short at half-time by coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's penchant for tinkering with his team.

Woodgate, 24, has played himself into contention for this summer's Euro 2004 finals in Portugal after a succession of injury problems that have blighted his time on Tyneside.

The former Leeds player missed two months of this season after undergoing a double hernia operation, and he has been further hampered by a torn hamstring, groin trouble and a virus.

Woodgate is desperate to rebuild an England career which stalled in his Leeds days when he went on trial for an assault on an Asian student and was found guilty of affray.

But he is also anxious to confirm the widely-held opinion that Sir Bobby Robson bought the country's most outstanding young defender when he lured Woodgate away from Elland Road in January last year.

Woodgate said: "Newcastle spent a lot of money on me and it's just a nightmare when you keep getting injuries which don't go away.

"It's frustrating - massively - and you just go home at night and wonder when it's going to end. Hopefully it has ended now.''

Newcastle skipper Alan Shearer is among the those championing Woodgate's England cause, with Eriksson seeking a partner for Sol Campbell following Rio Ferdinand's ban for missing a drugs test.

While Woodgate and Shearer are from different footballing generations, there is mutual respect. Woodgate said: "Alan is a model professional for everyone. We have the occasional chat, but I wouldn't say too many.

"He's had his time with England and I thought he was brilliant for his country, but I'm sure he's going to stick to his word this summer and go to Portugal for the golf!

"It was brilliant for me to be involved with England again. Every player likes to be in the England set-up and I've missed a good few games through injury, so it's great to be back.

"It spurs you on knowing the manager wants you. I know if I get my injuries out of the way, I'll be in the squad.

"All I can do now is play as well as I can and hopefully stay fit. But it's not just about me, it's about John Terry, Gareth Southgate, Ledley King, Wes Brown and Anthony Gardner. Everyone has built it up to be between me and John Terry, but that's not the case. The manager has a decision to make.

"He hasn't said anything to me. I just go out there and play. Hopefully I can back it up by playing well for Newcastle.

"The tournament this summer is massive. It would be a dream to be involved in a major championships. I've missed two and hopefully I'll get this one.

"I lost massive ground because of what happened off the field and other stuff, but I've learned from all that now.

"It makes you proud when the manager talks about you. He has said nice things, but it wouldn't be much good if I got injured again. It doesn't prey on my mind, but I have to keep playing.''

* Andy Griffin's time at Newcastle seems to be drawing to a close after contract talks were shelved as he continues to battle against another injury nightmare.

The 25-year-old full-back has not figured since the Carling Cup loss to West Brom on October 29 and is facing a consultation over an Achilles problem which refuses to heal.

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