Woodgate has had more than his fair share of injuries and, despite having signed for Real back for £13.4m in August 2004, he has yet to make his debut for the Spanish giants.

Hope is high in Madrid that Woodgate has finally shaken off his injury troubles and will be ready to play for the club when their league campaign starts later this month.

"He has been unlucky but now he has returned," Sacchi said. "He is one of the best defenders I have seen in my life.

"We have a lot of confidence in all the players that we have. For us, Woodgate is like our top signing for central defence this year."

Having made his England debut under Kevin Keegan's stewardship in May 1999, Woodgate played three matches in the autumn of 2002 before picking up his last cap in March 2004.

With only Francisco Pavón, Raúl Bravo and Iván Helguera as the other recognised centre-backs in Real's squad, Woodgate will know he has a good chance of a first-team place and a potential return to the England squad.

Real's first match of the new season is away to Cadiz on 28 August.