AT a time when England's European Championships bid looks like being hindered by a defensive crisis, the name of Middlesbrough's Chris Riggott has never been mentioned.

At the Riverside, Riggott is still regarded as third-choice and only plays when there is an injury to either Gareth Southgate or Ugo Ehiogu.

Both those players in front of him have spent time on the treatment table this season and Southgate will not play again before the England squad is announced for the summer in Portugal.

Whenever Riggott has filled the breach he has proved a more than capable deputy, with many even labeling him as the 'new Southgate'.

At 23, he still has time on his side to break into the senior squad. But, having played a number of times for the Under-21s, Riggott would love nothing more than to break into Sven-Goran Eriksson's thoughts.

Eriksson only has Arsenal's Sol Campbell and Chelsea's John Terry pencilled in for Euro 2004; with Southgate and Newcastle's Jonathan Woodgate both battling to be fit for the summer showpiece and Rio Ferdinand suspended.

The England coach has handed surprise call-ups to Tottenham duo Ledley King and Anthony Gardner and Riggott admits he can only dream of a similar shock.

But the Boro centre-back insists that working his way onto the international scene is something he is desperate to achieve, even though it looks like he may have to target an appearance in the 2006 World Cup.

By that time Riggott hopes to have become first-choice at the Riverside and a household name in the Premiership.

"I claimed nine caps for the Under-21s so moving up to the next level is an obvious step," said Riggott. "But I've not nailed my place in this Middlesbrough side yet so that has to be first in my thoughts.

"Playing for England is something I want to do and there are a lot of young lads out there who have had call-ups, like Ledley King.

"Ledley did tremendously when he got his chance and that's what everyone must do when they get their chance. But I don't want to get too far ahead of myself. My primary concern has to be Middlesbrough and fighting to prove I'm worth my place on a regular basis."

Boro's Under-21 international Stuart Parnaby is unlikely to play again this season.

The right-back injured his knee in the reserve game with Newcastle on Saturday morning and there were fears that he had flared up an old injury.

However, scan results revealed that Parnaby's fresh scare is not as bad a as first thought and he should make a quick recovery.

With three games to go - the first at Liverpool on Sunday - Boro boss Steve McClaren is unlikely to risk the 21-year-old's fitness.

l Goalkeeper Carlo Nash and midfielder Mark Wilson both completed 90 minutes but Colin Cooper limped off injured in the first half on a rather unsatisfactory night as Middlesbrough reserves lost 4-2 to Blackburn.

Cooper limped off after 26 minutes For Nash and Wilson it was a second game in four days as they continue to make their way back from finger and knee ligament injuries respectively, but their return was the only bright spot.

Craig Dove and a late header from Michael Ricketts put Boro on the scorehseet.

Matt Jansen and Jemal Johnson both scored twice for the visitors, who included Dwight Yorke.

Boro: Nash, McMahon, Masters (Craddock 66), Wilson, Cooper (Wheater 26), Gulliver, Johnston, Greening, Ricketts, Dove, Downing. Subs (not used): Kennedy, Johnson, Roberts

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