Woodgate has not played a competitive match for almost a year

Fears for the 25-year-old defender's future grew when a thigh injury ruled him out for the rest of this season.

But Real president Florentino Perez told Spanish newspaper AS: "We hope he will be able to start playing with the team from the beginning of the season.

"We are now on the road to recovery, and I am convinced he will become a great defender for Real Madrid."

Real signed Woodgate for �13.4m from Newcastle in August but he has not played a competitive game since a Premiership match in April last year.

He was poised to make his Real debut back in October but suffered a recurrence of the injury during a training session and had to fly to the United States for specialist advice.

Real's title hopes fade Real out of Champions League

In Woodgate's absence, Real have struggled and look likely to end a second straight season without a trophy.

But Perez insists he will see out his second term as club president.

"Until 2008, I will continue here because club members are with us," he added.