GARETH SOUTHGATE is out of Middlesbrough's rematch with Carling Cup final opponents Bolton today after sustaining a jaw injury in England's defeat in Sweden.

It is understood the Boro skipper has been given the all-clear following x-rays, but won't be risked at the Riverside and misses the chance to clock up his 100th League appearance for the club.

Southgate took a kick in the face after coming on as a second-half substitute as Sven-Goran Eriksson's side went down 1-0 in Wednesday's Gothenburg friendly.

Boro manager Steve McClaren has major problems in defence, with left-back Franck Queudrue doubtful because of an ankle injury picked up in training, and Stuart Parnaby struggling with back trouble.

McClaren has been forced to call up 17-year-old defenders Andrew Taylor and Matthew Bates as cover after they starred for the England Under-18 side against Belgium this week.

Boro are already without versatile defender Andrew Davies after he suffered a double leg break.

But the loss of Southgate is offset by the return of central defensive partner Ugo Ehiogu, who sat out the 1-1 draw at Everton a week ago with a foot injury. Chris Riggott is set to play alongside Ehiogu, but left-back Taylor and centre-half Bates are in the senior squad for the first time.

McClaren said: "We have a lack of defenders and we've drafted in Taylor and Bates, who are doing well in the youth team, and they may be required.''

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce is seeking revenge for the Carling final defeat by Boro five weeks ago tomorrow.

But McClaren said: "We had a great win against them in the final, but that's gone and this game is more important now.

"I've heard that Sam will use revenge as an incentive, but we have to concenrate on what we're doing.

"We scored five goals in our last match here against Birmingham, and I'd like us to do that again. I was interested to see we are the second highest scorers in the Premier League since the new year, which pleases me because, before that, we were probably the second worst scorers.''

Midfielder Doriva is also ruled out today with a groin injury. The Brazilian is one of eight players in contract talks with McClaren.

But the Boro boss is urging his players to put "personal agendas'' aside until the end of the season.

He said: "At this stage, you get a lot of personal agendas with contract talks. But we've told the players, like we said before the final, to box things away and concentrate on playing.

"The only agenda for the players is to do their best and forget everything else. But I've been very impressed with the players' attitudes since the cup final. Bolton have proved that, whether you win or lose a final, it's very difficult to focus back on the Legaue games. They've found that and we did in our first game after the final at Birmingham, where we lost.''

Striker Szilard Nemeth, whose current deal runs out this summer, is pressing for a starting role after scoring three goals in his last five substitute appearances.

The Slovakian, Boro's own super-sub, has been unable to command a regular place this term. But with four goals after coming off the bench, he has scored more as a substitute than anyone in the Premiership this season.

And his seven as a sub in his three years with Boro is an all-time best for the club.

McClaren admitted: "He wants to start and there's an argument he should.''

McClaren, meanwhile, confirmed that Boro will be back in for Leeds striker Mark Viduka this summmer if - as expected - the Aussie star is made available.

Boro failed in a bid to sign Viduka in January and McClaren said: "We would have loved to have signed him then, and if he's available in the summer he's one who'll interest us.''

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