OVERLOOKED Middlesbrough skipper Gareth Southgate has vowed not to give up on his European Championship dream.

The inspirational centre-back was omitted from the England squad when Sven-Goran Eriksson named his party on Sunday.

And just yesterday Eriksson issued another blow to Southgate when Birmingham City's Matthew Upson was called up as cover for injury doubt Rio Ferdinand ahead of Saturday's trip to Macedonia.

The Boro captain has now missed out on the last two squads named by the England boss, and his hopes of playing in next summer's Euro 2004 championships seem ever bleaker.

But Southgate, who would have hoped to have been involved in the qualifying matches against Macedonia and then Liechtenstein next Wednesday, is determined to bounce back into the national team.

"If I only play once more for England that would mean everything for me. I'm just going to hang in there," said the former Aston Villa man, who is now 33-years-old.

"Age isn't on my side, but I'm not calling it a day yet.

"I am not going to retire and that's for certain."

Experienced Southgate has 55 caps to his name and his last appearance for his country was in the victory over Slovakia at the Riverside in June.

But despite his reputation as one of this country's most consistent performers, Southgate admits he is yet to be told why he has been overlooked by Eriksson.

And the Boro star, who has made no secret of the fact that he would love to be playing in the Champions League, insists he is still enjoying the best football of his career.

"No, he didn't ring," said Southgate, a £6.5m buy in 2001. "He's picked his squad and chosen who he wants involved. I have no qualms with that.

"But I feel I am still playing well and I will do everything to get back in there.

"If the manager decides to go with someone else then that's fine, but I'm not going to give up."

As well as Ferdinand and Upson, Southgate also has to work his way ahead of Newcastle's Jonthan Woodgate, Chelsea's John Terry and Arsenal's Sol Campbell.

Meanwhile, reports are suggesting Boro have pulled out of a move to sign Heerenveen striker Romano Denneboom.

According to the player's agent, the 22-year-old is understood to have been on McClaren's wanted list.

However, now that transfer deadline has passed Boro are thought to have opted against moving for Denneboom despite holding initial talks.