"How do I summarise my England career? There hasn’t been one," says the in-form centre-half.

"I was banned and then I had my injuries. It hasn’t started for me yet."

It’s frustrating enough for the England fans who want to see this stylish defender make his mark on the international stage so imagine what it’s like for the man himself.

"It frustrates me because I want to play for my country. It’s what you aim to achieve when you’re a young lad," he says.

"I made my debut against Bulgaria which was back in 1999 and I’ve won five caps overall, so I’m averaging a cap every 18 months!"

At least it started well…

"I have brilliant memories of that game against Bulgaria," he recalls. "I’d only just finished my first season at Leeds where I had played about 20 games.

Then Kevin Keegan just put me in and I really enjoyed it.

"I can’t really say how high up the pecking order I think I should be these days. I’ve only just starting playing again. I may think I’m a good player but obviously there are lots of quality centre-halves out there.

"That’s for the manager to decide. Obviously I haven’t been involved recently and I’ve only just come back but, in the future, you never know.

"My aim at the moment is to play as many games as I can for Madrid."

Not that Woodgate is completely out of the loop. After all, he does have the England captain alongside him at the Bernabeu.

"When Becks comes back I always ask him, ‘What was it like? What was the banter like?’ Just things like that," he says.

"I know all about the football because I’ve watched it so I’m more interested in how the lads are.

"I’d say I’m more like an England fan than a player at the moment because it’s been such a long time since I’ve been involved.

"I’ve been watching all the England games though. They have qualified so it’s job done. The manager has done a brilliant job and the players have done well too.

"The players get put under an extreme amount of pressure from the media but that is understandable. England is a big team with big players. You have to take all the comments, good and bad, in the same way."

Could it be though - with England’s World Cup journey just around the corner - that Woodgate is hitting form and fitness at the perfect time?

"Yes, it’s all about timing," he acknowledges. "The World Cup is obviously an ambition for any footballer and it’s certainly one of mine.

"I reckon the luck is with me now…touch wood."

Click here for part one of our exclusive interview with Jonathan Woodgate.