The 32 year old defender has not really won the hearts of many Stoke fans with some saying he has gone past his sell by date. Never the less, he is a squad member and has come in handy a few times, even if he does give the odd penalty away.
Woodgate has a clause in his contract which automatically triggers a twelve month extension to his short term contract should he reach 20 appearances this time around.
Three more games and the player reaches that milestone and we can all breathe a sigh of relief, safe in the knowledge that our back four is in safe hands.
Or something like that.