JONATHAN WOODGATE was last night described as the best defender in the country by manager Gareth Southgate.

And the boss, after witnessing Woodgate turn in another rock solid defensive performance to keep out Everton, has revealed Boro will have to show they have the long-term goals to suit a player of his talent.

The 26-year-old is on loan until the summer from Real Madrid and has spoken numerous times about a dream to return to La Liga.

Southgate is keen to keep Woodgate beyond May but knows there will be strong competition.

"We have to show him that our ambitions match his," said the Middlesbrough manager, after yesterday's goalless draw.

"I know he has enjoyed his football with us. The great thing is that there is more to come from him. This performance was typical of him and we'd love to have him with us. He wanted to come here and get a season's football under his belt.

"I don't know what the position will be with Real but we can't hide the fact that we would like him with us. His ability is as good as anyone's in the country. He is having a run of games that everyone has been waiting for him to have. His form has been excellent."

It was the international class display of Woodgate and Emanuel Pogatetz at the heart of the Middlesbrough defence that helped secure a vital point.

But Southgate, after tinkering with the formation that secured three points against Charlton on Saturday, also wanted to praise the rest of the team.

"Woodgate and Pogatetz had so much to deal with," said Southgate. "The Everton front boys were a real threat. Our two had to be at their best. We showed incredible resilience, bags of character and the sort of qualities we needed coming to a place like this.

"I started with five across the middle because this had been effective for us at Bolton and Arsenal. Everton played very well in the first half."

Despite starting with five in the middle, and Gaizka Mendieta on the right for the first time since September 23, Southgate replaced the Spaniard at half-time with a second striker, Mark Viduka.

West Ham, among others, are considering a January move for the Australian and Southgate has reiterated his determination to hang onto the powerful forward.

"I would like Viduka to be part of our future. He is a big player for us and we need to have quality like his in our side," said the manager who revealed James Morrison's calf problem should have disappeared before Saturday's trip to Blackburn.