Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka has admitted that he is delighted to have persuaded Jonathan Woodgate to continue his playing career, after the defender briefly considered retirement.

Woodgate hadn't made a league start all season before featuring against Blackpool in midweek, a game in which he netted, and Karanka has revealed that he regards the former Real Madrid player as an important member of his first-team squad.

The Spaniard told the club's official website: "Woody is very important to me and I'm very pleased to see him enjoying this moment. I wouldn't have said this, but two weeks ago, he said he was thinking of retiring.

"I had a chat with him and told him that he needed to enjoy his last days as a player. For me, to be a player is the best thing in the world.

"I convinced him and now he's enjoying the moment. It's very important for the team and club, and I'm very pleased."

Despite his lack of match fitness, Woodgate could start against Arsenal on Sunday, with defensive duo Daniel Ayala and Tomas Kalas both sidelined.