GARETH Southgate faces being without both of his first-choice central defenders for the visit of Bolton Wanderers this weekend.

With Austria’s Emanuel Pogatetz forced to withdraw from tonight’s international friendly with Turkey after straining medial knee ligaments, the Boro skipper is a doubt for Saturday.

Victory this weekend could see Southgate’s side climb into the Premier League top six but the potential absence of the influential skipper and partner Chris Riggott, who limped off during Sunday’s 1- 1 draw with a hamstring injury, is a major concern.

After enduring a torrid couple of seasons Riggott has impressed of late, but he underwent scans to assess his damaged hamstring.

“Hopefully it’s not too serious with Chris because he’s been playing really well for us. He took a couple of knocks but we’ll know more soon,” confirmed Southgate.

After seeing his side come through a bruising encounter on Merseyside, Pogatetz is relishing the prospect of another tough battle against Gary Megson’s side.

He said: “I think to get four points from Villa and Everton away is very good and something to build on in our next two home games.

“There’s nothing wrong with a physical game but it was hard work at the back and we stood up to the challenge.

“The home games will be very different – we have to use the ball more.

“But Bolton will play in a similar way to Everton with a lot of long balls. And playing at our stadium we expect to have more of the ball and will be hoping for three points.”

The uncompromising Boro skipper will be desperate to prove his fitness ahead of a fixture that has produced some memorable clashes.

“Bolton has been an eventful game for me,” said Pogatetz. “In the past we’ve come back from behind. But with Davies playing up front it’s always a tough challenge, very physical.

“It’s a very important time to pick up points.

“We’ve done well in our away performances over recent weeks but we have to make it count at home.

“We have to respect Bolton.

They are on a good run, I saw the Liverpool game last Saturday and they played some good football and were a bit unlucky not to get anything.’’ While Boro’s defence have conceded just four goals in the five games since the defeat to Chelsea, strikes at the other end have been harder to come by with record £12.7m signing Afonso Alves scoring once from open play.

Despite Southgate backing Alves to regain his scoring touch, Boro have stepped up their search for additional strike-power with Leeds United’s Argentine marksman Luciano Becchio a target.

The former Barcelona player has netted ten times since his summer switch to Elland Road on a free transfer from Merida in the Spanish second division.

Southgate is believed to have had Becchio watched several times this season.

■ Leeds’ boss Gary McAllister is trying to agree a deal with former Middlesbrough striker Malcolm Christie, 29, in time for Saturday’s visit of Hartlepool.

Christie played 70 minutes of Leeds’ 5-2 win at Northampton in the FA Cup first round replay.