MIDDLESBROUGH defender Chris Riggott has warned team-mate Ugo Ehiogu that he has every intention of laying permanent claim to his first-team shirt.

The former Derby centre-back has seen his chances at the Riverside limited since he arrived in a deal that also saw Malcom Christie head north back in January 2003.

But a string of top-class performances have impressed Boro boss Steve McClaren, and seen fit-again Ehiogu banished to the sidelines.

The two lined up in the Teessiders rearguard in the 3-0 Carling Cup win over Coventry on Wednesday as McClaren rested skipper Gareth Southgate. But on Sunday at Charlton both know one will make way for the captain.

Riggott is aware he faces a fight to keep out Ehiogu, but it is one he is ready for.

"Since I've come here I've played second fiddle a little bit," said Riggott, who has started 34 games since arriving from Pride Park

"It's been up to me to do something about it and recently I've got myself in the team and I want to make sure I stay there.

"Obviously I can take faith from the manager selecting me. With me it's a lot to do with confidence and for the manager to have that confidence in me is important.

"I have to repay that and put in some good performances."

The 24-year-old, however, was quick to praise Ehiogu and the other Boro defenders for helping him develop during his 21 months on Teesside.

And the £2m Derby-born defender knows he faces a lot of hard work if he is to finally break up the renowned Southgate-Ehiogu defensive axis - a partnership that began at Aston Vill and has continued to flourish on Teesside.

He said: "I'm enjoying it and I've got good coaches around me but that's not taking anything away from Ugo and Gareth.

"They're both top class players and there's a reason that everyone knows their partnership and that's because they've done it and they are that good.

"It will be tough for me to stay in the team but that's my aim.

"Gareth, Ugo and Colin Cooper have helped me and I have learned a lot. They're all top-class players and I've picked up a lot from the coaches especially Steve Harrison as the defensive coach.

"I've picked quite a few things and there's nothing better than playing to get you that experience and that improvement.

"Recently I've had a good run and long may it continue."

Meanwhile, Cooper has heaped praise on young striker Danny Graham who scored the third goal on Wednesday night.

The win means holders Boro head to Anfield in a glamour Carling Cup fourth round tie, and Cooper urged the 19-year-old to realise his "God-given" talent.

Graham spent a short loan spell at Darlington last season, and Wednesday night's game was only his second start for Boro.

And Cooper believes there is much more to come from the player who made his name in the youth ranks at the Riverside Stadium.

Cooper said: "Danny has scored goals at every level.

"It is a God-given gift and anyone who knows where the back of the net is on a regular basis deserves to be given a chance."

Graham joined Boro from local junior side Chester-le-Street two years ago and scored his first senior goal for Quakers last season.

* Fulham manager Chris Coleman has admitted that former Boro goalkeeper Mark Crossley's stunning display in the Carling Cup win over Birmingham has given him ''a selection headache'' for tomorrow's Barclays Premiership match against Tottenham.

Crossley was given a rare first-team outing at St Andrews as Coleman opted to rest Edwin van der Sar after his recent hectic schedule with club and country.

But he showed that at the age of 35 he is still a top performer as he produced a string of stunning saves to earn his side a 1-0 win after they had been under the cosh for most of the 90 minutes.

Coleman admitted: ''He was outstanding. He has been playing second fiddle to Edwin but even this season, when we have been conceding a lot of goals, he has not been knocking on my door.

''He gets on with with training and working hard and I was delighted that he put in a performance like that at Birmingham.

''I told Edwin a couple of weeks ago that I was going to rest him for the Carling Cup game. He's had a long run of games with being away on international duty as well.

''But Mark has given me a headache now. He is number two to Edwin but I can't ignore a performance like that otherwise Mark will be knocking on my door."

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