IN Mido, Middlesbrough clearly have a replacement who is more than capable of filling the space vacated by Mark Viduka in Gareth Southgate's squad.

The mere fact that the Egyptian is only 24 also bodes well for the future. If Southgate and the £6m man can enjoy a successful relationship then Boro could well have captured a bargain.

The way he chested down Fabio Rochemback's through pass and rounded Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper at the Riverside on Sunday was a sign of his ability.

Despite the emergence of Mido, however, you can't help but feel Southgate still needs a new striker following the sale of Ayegbeni Yakubu.

Having spent half of the £11.25m fee on Mido, the other chunk of it should be put towards a goal-getter and a right-midfielder.

Southgate feels that he needs a new centre-back, with Robert Huth no nearer to ending his injury nightmare, and cover at left-back for Andrew Taylor.

But with Julio Arca in the squad surely he already has that. The cash needs to be spent wisely, otherwise the positive foundations already laid by Southgate could come crashing down.

Jeremie Aliadiere once again looked lively in the Boro attack against the Magpies, but there was a lack of threat posed towards Harper in the Newcastle goal from the former Arsenal man.

There was also evidence that Southgate is no nearer to finding a solution to his right midfield problem, despite an honest display from George Boateng.

Northampton next up on Wednesday in the Carling Cup, but the real test will be ensuring that a much-needed three points arrives at home to Birmingham next Saturday.