Real Madrid and England centre-back Jonathan Woodgate, who is currently on loan at Middlesbrough from Real Madrid, has been ruled out of England's Euro 2008 qualifier against Israel, with doubts over his fitness for the Group E match against Andorra, due to a knee injury.

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate recently revealed that the 27-year-old former Leeds United and Newcastle United defender has been nursing a slight knee injury since Boro's recent FA Cup loss to Manchester United.

The injury had been aggravated when Woodgate was training along with the England squad on Tuesday, with the Three Lions boss Steve McClaren refusing to take any further risks until he had been given the all-clear.

The England head coach said: "Jonathan's fitness comes first and we won't take risks with any player.

The rest of the England squad left for Tel Aviv on Thursday, but Woodgate remained at home to receive treatment from the England physio's.

Steve McClaren added, "We will keep in close contact with Middlesbrough over the next few days to determine his availability for the Andorra match."

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