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By Mandeep Sanghera BBC Sport Online

Lucas Radebe has paid tribute to the way fellow Leeds defender Jonathan Woodgate has come back after a traumatic period in his career.

Radebe is set to partner Woodgate in the Leeds defence for Thursday's Uefa Cup tie against Metalurg Zaporizhzhya if Dominic Matteo does not recover from a knee injury.

"He has made a great comeback," Radebe told BBC Sport Online.

He had a terrible two years but Woody was always going to be great

Lucas Radebe

Woodgate was ordered to serve 100 hours' community service following a long legal case resulting from an attack on a student in January 2000.

It is only this season that the 22-year-old has been able to start putting the matter behind him, apart from the mental scars suffered from the controversy.

And Woodgate has started to show the kind of form which saw him touted as a future England regular before his infamous court trial.

He was selected for England's recent friendly against Portugal and was especially impressive in Leeds' 1-0 win against Manchester United.

"He had a terrible two years but Woody, with his character, was always going to be great," said Radebe.

"I think since he came back you knew he was going to come back into the team and make that [central defensive] position his own.

Leeds manager Terry Venables
Radebe says Venables has been a 'breath of fresh air'
"That's what he has done and with a performance like [the one against Manchester United] you cannot fault it."

Match report: Leeds 1-0 Man Utd

Radebe also praised the impact Terry Venables has had at Elland Road since becoming the club's manager in July 2002.

"He has come in and changed things around but the way he communicates with the players - one-on-one, on the pitch and in training sessions - it gives players confidence.

"When a manager comes and speaks to you it shows that he regards you highly and that he wants to help.

"It makes it easier for us to approach him if you have any problems and it helps to take the team forward."

Radebe may be 33 but he says he has no intention of retiring, despite being teased about his age from his Leeds team-mates.

"I'm not going to give up," added Radebe. "No chance. Not now while I am still enjoying myself and this club is at the beginning of new things.

"All the time when I'm with the players they ask me how old I am and I tell them 'you know boys, you keep doing what you do and I'll be behind you keeping up'."


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