Blood, sweat and tears all in a day's work for skipper

The 34-year-old centre-back needed ten stitches in a nasty head wound after two clashes with Alan Shearer in the drawn derby at St. James' Park in midweek.

It put him on the doubtful list, but he insisted to manager Steve McClaren yesterday he wants to face Liverpool, and make his 400th Premiership appearance, in what could be a decisive meeting at Anfield.

Southgate sees a doctor this morning, hoping for the go-ahead, and his presence is vital with centre-backs Chris Riggott and Colin Cooper ruled out.

"Gareth is desperate to get us into Europe, he wants to play every game," revealed McClaren yesterday. "He was covered in blood and should have come off at Newcastle but he wouldn't.

"He was told to but he refused and we got a point. We want him there tomorrow but he will have to be tested and I'd say he is 50-50.

"His attitude is typical of the determination in the dressing room to finish the job. The players are motivating it, they are driving it.

"When you saw the injuries and the bodies lying about and the blood in the dressing room after the Newcastle game, you felt how much the players want it.

"They put their bodies on the line and, if we continue with that, we'll succeed."

There is also a personal incentive for Bolo Zenden and George Boateng to get the club into Europe. With contract talks about to start, a UEFA Cup place would significantly increase their bargaining power.

"Of course they would get bigger contracts - and don't they know it," added McClaren. "But that's good for us.

"Players are talking about Europe and they are in the driving seat now, it's in their hands. They have a fantastic opportunity and don't want to waste it. If they want European football next season then it's up to them.

"We're in a great position with three games to go, tough games but, the mood we're in, we are very confident. We're capable of winning games because we can score, we're third top scorers, and we look hard to beat after conceding two goals in five games and getting eight points."

Boro, in seventh position, have a two-point advantage over eighth-placed Spurs and are four points behind Bolton, in sixth. With Spurs and ninth-placed Aston Villa meeting tomorrow and Bolton facing champions-elect Chelsea today, the door could swing open and give Boro a chance to walk through.

"A point or a win could go a long way to deciding our fate. But I'm not thinking about what might happen, only what we do," insisted the Boro boss.

"The pressure means there will be crazy results but we've got make sure ours aren't crazy. I'm just not thinking or dreaming about other results this weekend. If you do it usually turns out to be a nightmare."

Boro's final two games are against Spurs at the Riverside next week and at in-form Manchester City the week after.

"The Spurs game is massive, it could go a long way to deciding it," he said. "The most important thing is to make sure we're still in pole position for the last two games.

"Energy and attitude are the most important things. We've rested Stewart Downing and Bolo Zenden because we need players to be fresh, some of them have played every game. This is where the young players can come in now they're ready.

"If we'd had Mark Viduka and everybody fit, particularly George Boateng, we'd be in a far better position than we are now, but every team says if. You have to deal in reality.

"Mark's been a massive miss, when he played with Jimmy we won 75 per cent of games, he gives us something different. But he'll be fit for next season. I've heard the stories going round about him but I've found him immaculate, a great pro and great lad who just wants play, he's very frustrated."

Liverpool, in the middle of a Champions League semi-final, may have to finish fourth to qualify for next season's competition even if they win it, and McClaren conceded: "This is a good time to play them but their home record is immaculate and their record after European games is very good.

"They have a big enough squad and, at the moment, they need to win this to try to finish fourth. I think Rafael Benitez will try to get a balance and a team that can cope but, whatever he does, it will be a good side."

Along with Southgate, Boateng is rated 50-50 with a toe injury and Mark Schwarzer will not be available for another week.

Colin Cooper is also out with a hip injury. But defenders Stuart Parnaby and Tony McMahon return along with winger James Morrison.

l Tickets for the game at Manchester City on Sunday, May 15 are now available. Red book holders can buy tickets from 9.30am on Tuesday May 3, with white book holders able to get their seats on Thursday May 5. Season ticket holders must produce a fully completed Voucher T at the time of purchase. Any remaining seats will go on general sale on Monday May 9, priced £25 adults and £12 over-65s and U-16s.

l Stuart Pearce is refusing to give up on Manchester City's UEFA Cup dream.

The Blues head into their Premiership clash with Portsmouth five points adrift of Boro and seemingly with little chance of easing their way into the last European qualifying spot.

But, with Tottenham still to play City's final two opponents Aston Villa and Middlesbrough, Pearce knows three successive wins could yet land the club an unlikely continental expedition next term.

And, as long as there is hope, Pearce is not willing to abandon it.

''I have not given up chasing the dream, why should I?'' he said.

''We will move up one place for certain if we win tomorrow because Tottenham and Villa are playing each other. We play Villa after that and then Middlesbrough. We do need results to go our way but it can still happen.

''In an ideal world we will take it down to the last game against Boro and turn it into an us against them match for a place in Europe.''

Pearce also knows he is one match from becoming the first Blues' boss to steer his team to six Premier ship games without defeat since Brian Horton in 1994.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.