Jonathan Woodgate's nagging groin problem will force him to miss England's friendly with Portugal. Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson has already called England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson to warn him of Woodgate's absence for next week's friendly.
Robson said: "Jonathan has had a slight reaction in the groin and has been examined by the surgeon who operated on him for a double hernia.
"He feels it's nothing untoward, it's just a reaction to some scar tissue."
Robson added: "I have informed Sven about him and he realises he can't pick him."
Speaking after the draw with Blackburn, Robson also revealed striker Craig Bellamy will be unavailable for Wales' friendly with Scotland.
Bellamy, making his first start for Newcastle since 4 October, suffered a flare-up of his knee injury after a tough tackle from Lucas Neill.
Robson said: "He's injured and he can't be thinking about midweek internationals - he's hardly played for five months.
"I didn't think it was a right tackle and I was amazed the referee didn't do anything about it - the defender got him in the corner and went right through him and Craig has suffered from it.
"He cleaned Craig out. His knee has puffed up, he's limping - in fact he can hardly walk - and he must have done some slight ligament damage."
MMIX
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