NEXT week's friendly with Sweden is set to make or break Middlesbrough skipper Gareth Southgate's chances of starting England's Euro 2004 opener against France this summer.

Sven Goran Eriksson's defensive options were severely hindered when Rio Ferdinand's eight-month ban for missing a drugs test was upheld last week.

The England boss has been considering his options since news of Ferdinand's misdemeanour first broke. But he last night confirmed that Sol Campbell will be a certain starter when England open their Euro 2004 campaign in Lisbon's Stadium of Light on June 13.

Eriksson went on to reveal that Southgate is to battle it out with Chelsea's John Terry for the right to partner the Arsenal centre-half.

"The loss of Rio Ferdinand is a problem for us," admitted Eriksson. "But I have 95 per cent of my team already in my mind.

"Sol Campbell is certain to be in the centre of defence. The two other strong names are Gareth Southgate and John Terry. Those are the ones closest to the place."

Terry is understood to be in pole position after turning in a series of strong displays that have helped Chelsea claim second spot in the Premiership and make it to the last eight of the Champions League.

Southgate was all but out of the equation after failing to make the squad for England's crucial qualifiers with Macedonia and Liechtenstein last Autumn.

But the 33-year-old was recalled for November's friendly with Denmark and turned in an eye-catching display during last month's 1-1 draw with Portugal in Faro.

That has thrust him back into the reckoning and, with just three more England games to go before the Euro 2004 kick-off, next week's friendly in Gothenburg could be crucial to his chances.

Eriksson is under pressure to treat Chelsea and Arsenal players sparingly given that the game comes bang in the middle of their two-legged Champions League quarter-final.

And, with both Terry and Campbell likely to play only minor roles, a strong showing from Southgate could be enough to thrust him to the top of the pecking order.

Eriksson's admission has come as a major blow to Newcastle's Jonathan Woodgate, who has been all but ruled out of the running despite looking back to his best over the last couple of weeks.

Woodgate is expected to fight it out with Matthew Upson and Ledley King for a place in Eriksson's squad, but persistent injury problems look to have cost the 24-year-old a starting role.

Southgate's consistency has been a key feature of a season that could yet turn out to be the best in Middlesbrough's 128-year history.

The veteran centre-half is out of contract at the end of next season - along with Mark Schwarzer and Ugo Ehiogu - and Boro boss Steve McClaren has reiterated his desire to sign all three on extended deals as soon as possible.

"We have intimated to them that we would like to extend their contracts," said McClaren. "They have intimated to us that they would like to stay.

"The way those three are playing there will be speculation about them. That's why we've got to make sure they are here, not just for next season, but beyond that. That's what we'll be trying to ensure over the coming weeks."

* Middlesbrough youngster Gary Smith has joined First Division basement boys Wimbledon on a month's loan.

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