UGO EHIOGU'S days on the international scene look to be numbered after the Middlesbrough star was left out of the latest England squad.

But his club boss, Steve McClaren, and Boro goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer believe he is still up there with the best centre-backs in the Premiership.

Instead of naming Ehiogu in the 25-man squad to face Liechtenstein and Turkey, Sven-Goran Eriksson chose to call up Chelsea's John Terry for the first time alongside Newcastle's Jonathan Woodgate, Boro's Gareth Southgate, Arsenal's Sol Campbell and Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand.

However, McClaren - Eriksson's former right-hand man - is in no doubt as to the value of Ehiogu to his side.

McClaren highlighted the former Aston Villa man's importance by pointing to his side's defensive frailties when the player missed the first two months of 2003 with a punctured lung and fractured ribs.

"From New Year's Day, when Ugo got injured, we conceded goals," he said. "And when he came back we shored up defensively straightaway.

"His return gave us a platform to go on and play attacking football.

"I've always said that Ehiogu's partnership in the defence with Southgate is as good a pairing as you are going to get."

Schwarzer echoed his manager's sentiments and he knows more than most how strong the duo are together - after all he plays just a few yards behind them.

"They have been tremendous all season and, quite rightly, a lot is said about them as a formidable pairing," said the Australian No 1.

"This club has benefited greatly from having them both over the past couple of seasons."

But Schwarzer was quick to praise the rest of the Boro backline, including those who have only had small parts to play this season.

"What's important to remember is that all of the players have come in and done a good job," he said.

"As well as Ugo and Gareth we have had players like Colin Cooper and Tony Vidmar who have come in and done good jobs.

"In the full-back positions we have had Franck Queudrue, Stuart Parnaby, Robbie Stockdale and David Murphy.

"All season we have had players who have played well defensively. I have singled out players there but I think it's a team thing and on the whole the team has defended well together."

McClaren will be spending the next two weeks on the training field at Boro's Rockliffe training base in Hurworth.

The former England coach used to have to leave Steve Harrison in charge of first team duties when he had the dual role.

But while England prepare for their European Championship qualifier double-header, McClaren can concentrate on club level.

He said: "It will be good to spend some extra time with the players on the training field knowing we have got a break from a game."

* Boro's reserve game with Bolton Wanderers at Billingham Synthonia tonight has been postponed.

* Boro's 18-year-old midfielder Chris Brunt has been selected for the Northern Ireland U-19 squad to play a friendly against Slovenia in early April and centre-back David Wheater and attacking midfielder Danny Reed are included in the England U-16 schoolboy squad to play an international tournament in France on April 12-22.

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