GARETH SOUTHGATE last night insisted Middlesbrough's Franck Queudrue has successfully shrugged off a bad-boy reputation, despite the Frenchman being hit with a three-match ban by the Football Association.

Queudrue's appeal against his red card in the defeat at Tottenham on Sunday was thrown out by the FA on Tuesday and his suspension starts on Monday when Manchester City visit the Riverside Stadium.

The 26-year-old's dismissal, for a two-footed lunge on Spurs' Noe Paramot, was his sixth sending off since arriving in the Premiership in October 2001 and his second of the season.

Manager Steve McClaren - who could face a touchline ban for remonstrating with official Phil Dowd over the incident - has worked hard with the former Lens full-back in trying to curb his over-committed style over the past 18 months and the player felt the rewards in May.

Coach Steve Harrison presented Queudrue with a magnum of champagne after he successfully went through the whole of last season without being hit with his marching orders.

However the defender was sent off, albeit harshly, in the UEFA Cup clash against Banik Ostrava in September and then again at White Hart Lane at the weekend.

But Middlesbrough captain Southgate claims Queudrue's incredible enthusiasm is the only thing that keeps getting him into trouble.

"Last year he didn't get sent off once and he was booked just seven times," said Southgate. "For a full-back, who has to cope with the threat of flying wingers, that's not too bad.

"In fact for a full-back I would say it was excellent because it's harder to avoid being booked. Last year he did excellent and it's just gone against him this season a little.

"This year the red card in Ostrava shouldn't have been and then suddenly he gets a second and it becomes a bigger issue.

"At the time of going in for the tackle on Sunday I thought he had tried to pull out of it.

"The referee was quick to make a decision. But having seen it again the referee didn't have a choice. Franck Queudrue is not an overly aggressive lad, he's extremely friendly, yet his record of sendings off is one of the worst in the league.

"It's surprising but I really do think it's just his style and he gets penalised as times because of it."

Queudrue's ban has highlighted once again Middlesbrough's lack of cover in the left-back area.

And McClaren has revealed it is an area that he is looking to strengthen when the transfer window opens next month - with Aberdeen's Kevin McNaughton one of those on his wish list.

Bolo Zenden, Colin Cooper, Andrew Davies, Tony McMahon or Michael Reiziger could all be asked to play less familiar roles to fill the void left by Queudrue.

But regardless of how well Boro cope, McClaren feels a new face would add competition and cover in that area.

The Boro boss is trying to arrange a meeting with chairman Steve Gibson and chief executive Keith Lamb in an attempt to free up some funds for moves in the transfer market.

And McClaren said yesterday: "We've got quite a few injuries we need to clear up and the squad is thin in certain positions like left-back and I'll be looking to have a chat with Keith and the chairman and see what can be done in January.

"It's an opportunity for this football club to build on what we have already established. We want to make sure we keep going and get better and that injuries and suspensions don't cost us in the second half of the season."

Dons' defender McNaughton, 22, has himself been sent off once this season and has two Scotland caps to his name after impressing during 131 appearances for the Scottish Premier League outfit.

Meanwhile, Ugo Ehiogu has returned to training after being sidelined for the past couple of months with a calf injury.

* Boro's place in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup was confirmed last night when Egalio drew 2-2 with Lazio.

The Greek minnows had to beat the Italians to stand any chance of progressing.

Aigaleo took an eighth minute lead through Giannis Chloros, but two goals from Roberto Muzzi turned the tie in favour of the visitors. Anastasios Agritis equalised, but the Greek side stay in fifth spot in Group E.

Partizan Belgrade drew 1-1 with Villareal in the other game to leave Boro in pole position in the table.

* Kevin Keegan has virtually ruled Nicolas Anelka out of Monday's televised encounter at Boro.

Anelka is still to resume training after limping out of the victory at Portsmouth a fortnight ago with a groin strain and Keegan admits the Frenchman's chances of reaching full fitness in 72 hours are slim.

It means Robbie Fowler and Jon Macken will continue their striking partnership as the Blues look to record three successive Premiership wins for the first time in two years.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.