Jonathan Woodgate hopes to return to face his former club Newcastle United at St James' Park on Sunday, with his back injury not as serious as was first feared.

The Tottenham Hotspur central defender was forced off with 10 minutes to go of last Saturday's 0–0 draw against Manchester United at White Hart Lane, having suffered a spasm. He was taken to hospital for tests and kept in overnight amid fears of a recurrence of the problem that has blighted his career. Although Woodgate has enjoyed an encouraging appearance record since he joined Tottenham from Middlesbrough in January of this year, a back injury undermined his time in Spain at Real Madrid.

Tottenham are taking no chances with him. The 28-year-old has not yet trained this week and he will play no part in the final Uefa Cup group tie against Spartak Moscow at White Hart Lane on Thursday night, a fixture in which the manager, Harry Redknapp, is likely to include a few fringe players. The club's other first-choice central defender Ledley King will not play.

Tottenham's medical staff continue to monitor Woodgate closely and the club is unwilling to rush his return. At present he is rated a doubt for the trip to Newcastle, where he spent 20 months under Sir Bobby Robson from January 2003. But Woodgate is moving freely and he believes that there is nothing untoward and is keen to resume training to prove his fitness.