DURING a week in which David Beckham was handed a high-profile recall to the England squad, Middlesbrough's Jonathan Woodgate has admitted that joining his former Real Madrid team-mate on the international stage would have been the perfect way to end his season.

Instead, after undergoing exploratory surgery on his troubled knee this month, Woodgate has been forced to take further time away from Steve McClaren's squad and has been left pining for the day he is back for good.

The same niggling problem cut short his long-awaited return to the England scene in March, when he joined up with the squad only to be left behind to receive treatment, missing the European Championships qualifiers with Israel and Andorra.

This time around, with Rio Ferdinand ruled out through injury, Woodgate would almost certainly have started against Brazil tomorrow night and in the crucial qualifier in Estonia next week.

Instead, Liverpool's Jamie Carragher will be the man asked to play at the heart of the defence alongside John Terry, with Woodgate just a frustrated observer as Beckham et al try to deliver the results that could save McClaren from the axe.

The Boro defender, however, has been delighted with the way his first season back in English football has gone and by the success of his end-of-season surgery, even though it has prevented him adding to his six caps.

Choosing to look forwards, rather than backwards, Woodgate is relishing the prospect of his first full campaign with Middlesbrough next season, when he will be hoping to become a permanent fixture in the England squad.

"Every player wants to play for his country and I am very flattered every time I am mentioned in the same squad as some of the best players in the world," said Woodgate, whose sixth cap was earned in the defeat to Spain in February.

"But first and foremost I have to get myself back to full fitness, I am sure that will come. Last season could not have gone any better for me personally, although I obviously want the team, Middlesbrough, to be a success first and foremost.

"The fact I played virtually the whole season, give or take a couple of games here and there, means a lot to me. I am not a footballer who likes to sit around doing nothing. I want to get involved and play every week and I managed that last season, which is great for me."

Before moving to Middlesbrough, initially on loan, last August, a series of hamstring injuries restricted Woodgate to just 12 appearances for Real during two years at the Bernabeu following a £13.4m switch from Newcastle.

But last season the former Leeds centre-back showed he is over those particular problems by making 36 starts under Gareth Southgate and he was satisfied, rather than relieved.

Despite the set-back of having surgery on his knee, he feels he will be back in time to take part in pre-season training and fit for the start of the new season on August 11.

"The operation was a success," said Woodgate, who continued to play towards the end of last season despite suffering pain in his knee.

"I feel as though I have got over the injury problems I had in the past. If you had told me at the start of last season I would play almost the whole of the campaign I would have been delighted. That is very pleasing for me."

After committing his future to Middlesbrough by signing a four-year contract at the Riverside Stadium, Woodgate clearly feels his personal ambitions can be achieved.

The club remain in talks with Mark Viduka over his contract situation and Woodgate has made no secret of his wish to see the Aussie stay on board. But, regardless, the defender is confident Southgate is doing things right on Teesside.

"The season went well for me, but as a team we have to kick on next time around," he said.

"We have the players to finish a lot higher up the league and I know we can do well. The youngsters are all a little bit older and more experienced and they will only improve.

"The future looks very bright. We have the best set of youngsters in the country and if the experienced players can come together as well then we will have every reason to be optimistic."

Boro will play friendlies against German sides Schalke O4 and Hertha Berlin during a pre-season trip to Austria in July.

They will meet Bundesliga runners-up Schalke on Friday, July 13, and Hertha on Tuesday, July 17. Venues and kick-off times are still to be confirmed.

Boro XIs will play at Burnley on July 21 (3pm), Darlington on July 24 (7.30pm), Hibernian on July 28 (3pm) and Carlisle on July 31 (7.45pm)