MIDDLESBROUGH defender Emanuel Pogatetz has defended his decision to retaliate while on international duty with Austria.

Pogatetz, now a doubt for tomorrow's Premiership fixture against Portsmouth, reacted angrily to an outrageous challenge from Northern Ireland's Damien Johnson on Wednesday night.

Johnson was red-carded for the challenge while Pogatetz, who stood up and confronted the Birmingham City midfielder, was sent off by the referee Athanassios Briakos in the second half.

But Pogatetz insisted last night: "My way of reacting was strong but appropriate. Without a shinpad my leg would have been damaged totally.

"I think it is understandable to show some emotions in such a situation. My leg is black and blue all over now."

The Boro full-back, a summer signing from Germans Bayer Leverkusen, was also sent off in his final match on loan for Spartak Moscow in July, when he broke an opponent's leg.

He successfully fought to have a six-month ban reduced but still missed the opening of the new campaign for his new club. His latest dismissal will not affect his club situation.

Meanwhile, Yakubu is starting to live up to his billing and has shown why Steve McClaren decided to spend big money on the African in the summer - that's the verdict of defender Chris Riggott.

The 22-year-old left Fratton Park in July for £7.5m and was initially slow out of the blocks at his new club as he failed to score in any of his opening three appearances.

However, Yakubu has since gone on to score four in as many Premiership games and has forced his way ahead of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Mark Viduka in the pecking order.

Boro's best performances this season have arrived when they have played with one striker and Yakubu prefers to operate in that role.

Riggott, back in the team after recovering from injury in recent weeks, believes the whole club are starting to see the best from Boro's summer recruit.

The centre-back first witnessed the player's potential during his days at Derby, when Yakubu arrived for a trial spell at Pride Park.

"Everyone knows it takes a little bit of time to settle in, but he's on fire now," said Riggott.

"He's looking tremendous and he'll be wanting to have a good game against them and bang in a few goals for us, and then everybody will be happy.

"I know Yak from Derby when he came in for six weeks a few summers ago, but he got his work permit rejected, then Jim Smith went to Portsmouth and they signed him.

"He's a cracking fella and as soon as we signed him, I knew he would be a good player for us.

"He's tremendously strong and quick and he's got an eye for goal. Hopefully now he's getting into his stride and can get a few vital goals for us."

Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has almost certainly won his race to be fit for tomorrow's visit of Portsmouth.

Schwarzer has suffered no reaction to his shoulder injury during ten days' training with Australia and is in line to return.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United's Albert Luque has revealed he does not expect to be fit in time to play for his country in next month's World Cup play-off.

Luque is sidelined with a hamstring injury and is not due to return to training until the beginning of November.

The Spanish left-winger said: "I think the play-offs will come too soon for me.

"At the moment I'm not thinking about the national team. I'm just thinking about getting fit and playing for Newcastle."

Spain finished second in their World Cup qualifying group behind Serbia & Montenegro.

* Boro have a special price ticket offer for friends and family of season ticket holders tomorrow. On production of Voucher F, tickets will be available for North and South Stands priced £20 for adults and £10 for concessions.

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