MIDDLESBROUGH defender Chris Riggott has thrown down the gauntlet to team-mate Ugo Ehiogu and challenged him to win his place back.

The former Aston Villa defender has been limited to two appearances this season but is nearing full fitness after being sidelined with back and calf injuries.

Ehiogu will miss the triple-header against Chelsea, Banik Ostrava and Manchester United but boss Steve McClaren has pencilled in his £8m signing for a recall at Blackburn after the international break early next month.

Riggott is the man in possession at the moment, however, and has no intention of surrendering his place without a fight after starting all but one of the Teessiders' games this season.

The 24-year-old initially staked a claim in the Boro side alongside Ehiogu on the opening day of the Premiership campaign against Newcastle, when captain Gareth Southgate had a knee injury.

It was Riggott's gaffe which allowed Craig Bellamy to open the scoring for the Magpies in the Tyne-Tees derby.

But he has since bounced back and looks a better defender after a lengthy spell in the side.

"I have to think I can win the shirt from Ugo permanently," said Riggott. "There is no point in me coming here and being happy to play back up. I have to show I can win a place in the team on merit.

"I would like to think the shirt was mine to lose. I'm really enjoying the season so far. We've started reasonably well; although we're disappointed with the result at Everton last week.

"I just have to play as well as I can week-in and week-out and make it difficult for the manager.

"I think I've done reasonably well so far, although it is difficult when you don't get a run of games.

"In the past I have had a four or five-game run then I've been out of the side for one reason or another. It's difficult to get a real foot in the team when that happens.

"But I don't want to dwell on Ugo being out too much. I've just got to carry on playing as well as I can."

When Riggott joined Boro in a £2m deal from Derby in January last year, many earmarked the young defender as not only an eventual replacement for Southgate but also a future skipper.

Riggott believes he has certainly benefited from playing alongside the former England defender and admitted, as a young defender, there is no one better to learn your trade from.

He said: "The partnership with Gareth is going well. You couldn't pick anyone better in terms of experience and I hope to keep it going for as long as possible.

"Gareth is a model professional not only in games but in training too, which translates on to the pitch in games.

"Footballing-wise his reading of the game and positional sense is spot on, which is a huge starter for a defender. If you can get that right you won't go too far wrong."

Read more about Middlesbrough here.