GARETH Southgate insists he's happy with Middlesbrough's form away from the Riverside this season - despite the Teessiders failing to win any of the nine games on their travels.

Boro have picked up just three away points from 27 this campaign, but the manager has only been disappointed with his team's performance on two occasions.

Southgate admits the lack of success away from Teesside is a concern but believes if his players continue to perform like they did in the 2-1 defeat at Fulham on Monday night they'll soon be back in the winning habit.

Southgate said: "If you can win away from home then it relieves some of the pressure on your home games. We've had opportunities to do that.

"We've had two really poor performances away from home - at Watford and Manchester City - and outside of that, looking back to Reading, Bolton and on Monday against Fulham, I think the performances have been good.

"What we haven't done is nailed the results we need."

Defender Chris Riggott believes Middlesbrough's inability to win away from the Riverside this season is down to a lack of confidence.

Riggott was playing his first game since August at Craven Cottage and admitted responsibility for the Cottagers' second goal.

"Of course our away form is a concern but how we're going to address it is another matter," said Riggott.

"I've been out for most of the season so it's difficult for me to comment on the whole campaign but we gave away two poor goals on Monday.

"The second goal I stood off him (Brian McBride) and invited him to shoot.

"And the first game I played in - Reading away - we gave three goals away. We started well there, went ahead, but again we lost.

"It's confidence as well. Once you get that first away win then you're on a roll and you can push on from there.

"It was nice to be back playing but disappointing to give away two goals. You can't give teams a two-goal start at this level."

Riggott has been linked with a move to Newcastle in the January transfer window with the 26-year seemingly now fourth choice at centre-back behind Jonathan Woodgate, Robert Huth and Emanuel Pogatetz.

But the £2m signing from Derby County's number one priority is to get back to full fitness following his ankle ligament injury.

"Monday was my first game in about three months and I've not really had much football in that time, apart from training," said Riggott.

"I need games now and I'm pleased to get through Fulham injury-free. From now on I'm just hoping to get my head down and keep working.

"Of course I won't be happy (to sit on the sidelines) but I know there's competition for places at the club - I'm the same as everyone with that. I don't want to get into a debate about it because it's fairly obvious but at the same time I know I've got to earn my place in the team.

"What I need to do now is get my fitness back."

Middlesbrough, meanwhile, have insisted that Woodgate will not return to Madrid in January, despite Real manager Fabio Capello refusing to rule it out.

Real agreed to the Teessider signing a one-season loan deal and, according to Boro, the earliest he could return to the Spanish capital would be at the end of the season.

Woodgate missed the defeat at Fulham with an ankle injury but is expected to be fit to face Charlton in on Saturday

l Chief executive Peter Varney described Charlton's Carling Cup defeat by Wycombe on Tuesday at The Valley as unacceptable.

The Addicks suffered a 1-0 loss at The Valley, squandering the opportunity to progress to the semi-final stage against the Coca-Cola League Two side.