GARETH Southgate's January transfer plans could be thrown into chaos with Real Madrid refusing to rule out a recall for Jonathan Woodgate.

The central defender has been one of the few plus points in a miserable season for Middlesbrough, who are being kept out of the bottom three only by goal difference.

Monday's 2-1 defeat at Fulham was their ninth away game in a season where they've picked up just three points on their travels.

Woodgate has been outstanding in each of their trio of away draws, but an ankle injury kept him out of the trip to Craven Cottage.

Real are considering recalling the 26-year-old - despite allowing him to join his hometown club on a season-long loan in August.

With Robert Huth suffering a stress fracture of his foot and Chris Riggott only just back from long-term injury, the loss of Woodgate would ensure a central defender jumps to the top of Southgate's transfer list.

Woodgate has been dogged by injury during his time in Madrid, but with 13 games for Boro already his fitness levels have been noted at the Bernabeu.

"We are happy with Woodgate," said Real coach Fabio Capello.

"He is playing very well in England at the moment."

Capello refused to rule out their £13.4m signing from Newcastle United returning when speaking about his players on loan, adding: "If we come across a player that will improve the team then maybe we will consider it."

Woodgate's ankle problem should not keep him out of Saturday's clash with Charlton, but Huth and Abel Xavier will both be missing.

Mark Viduka, meanwhile, believes Boro have too much quality in their squad to remain near the bottom of the Premiership, and is keen to banish any talk of relegation at the earliest opportunity.

The Aussie striker scored what turned out to be Boro's consolation goal in Monday night's defeat at Craven Cottage - meaning Boro have now gone six league games without a win.

''We hope it's not going to be a long battle against relegation," said the 31-year-old. "The Fulham result was disappointing because we put a lot of effort into the game.

''We played some good football and it's disappointing when you don't get the rewards for it. But we have to stay optimistic.

''We have a huge game against Charlton and it's an opportunity to get some points. It's a tight group at the bottom.

''Let's hope we get a win and then we will move up. It's a difficult situation to be in but we have the quality to get us out of it."

According to Viduka, Boro are more than capable of dispatching the Addicks, believing a win could kickstart a successful Christmas campaign.

''If we keep playing like we did against Fulham then the results will come," said Viduka. "Our heads haven't dropped at all.

''If we had gone to Fulham and got battered it would have been a different story - we'd have been really down about it.

''But we played some football and did well at times, only to concede two goals out of nothing. We do need to start winning some games though.

''Christmas is such a busy period that we could come out in a great position or find ourselves down the other end. We believe we can come out on top.''

* Middlesbrough are thought to have made enquiries about Czech goalkeeper Martin Lejsal.

The 24-year-old, who served a six-month suspension for match-fixing, is currently at FC Brno.