Jonathan Woodgate set for return to Middlesbrough

STOKE Tony Pulis has chosen not to renew nine of his players' contracts for next season. Among the departures are Jonathan Woodgate, Ricardo Fuller and Mamady Sidibe. Carlo Nash, 38 – Goalkeeper, played once. Jonathan (GETTY IMAGES)

Jonathan Woodgate is poised for a return to Middlesbrough subject to a medical.

And the npower Championship club have revealed on their official website, mfc.co.uk, that Woodgate is close to starting a second spell at the Riverside Stadium, where he played 52 times after an initial loan move from Real Madrid six years ago.

Boro eventually paid the Spanish giants £7million for Woodgate on that occasion before an £8million move to Tottenham in January 2008.

The former Leeds youngster has commanded in excess of £35million in transfer fees despite suffering an injury-stricken career.

PA