GARETH SOUTHGATE has allayed fears that Robert Huth's problematic ankle is a major cause for concern by insisting the German defender will be back playing for Middlesbrough early next season.

Huth has endured a torrid time since making a £6m switch from Chelsea last summer, when he arrived with the same problem that he picked up at the World Cup.

It took him until October 14 to make his Premiership debut for Boro and, even then, he only went onto make eight more starts as he struggled to dislodge the first-choice central defensive pairing of Jonathan Woodgate and Emanuel Pogatetz.

And, having made just 12 league starts in his first season at the Riverside, a decision was taken early for Huth to have ankle surgery.

The operation appears to have been a success, although the chances of him being fit for the start of the new campaign on August 11 are slim.

But Southgate, determined to ensure his second most expensive signing makes a full recovery, feels Huth will be back to his best and battling for a first team place before the end of September.

"It was very important Robert had his surgery when he did," said Southgate. "We could have carried on going as we were but the right thing to do is to get the operation done properly and to give him a clean bill of health.

"We might have to wait until August for him to be fit but he will only miss a couple of league games for us. Had we waited until the end of pre-season to see if it was OK and he had broken down we would have been without him for a big part of next season."

Another Boro centre-back, Chris Riggott, was also restricted by an ankle injury and by the time he had recovered he had fallen to fourth choice.

Despite his impressive role in helping Boro to the 2006 UEFA Cup final, he struggled to force his way back into Southgate's plans.

However, the Boro manager has rubbished suggestions he is looking to move Riggott on in an attempt to raise funds for new recruits.

"We need that competition for places back there, that's vital." said Southgate, who has cooled his interest in Aberdeen centre-back Russell Anderson. "From Chris' point of view he has had a frustrating season injury-wise.

"I want him to come back next season and get himself fit. I want him to hang onto the shirt after getting into the team.

"Manny (Pogatetz) was in a similar position and he kept his spot. It would be great if we could have four centre-backs fit, healthy and in fine form. But it's unlikely and that's why we need a squad.

"Chris is a proven Premiership centre-back.

"He played in our UEFA Cup run and some of our most important matches."

After starting the season in the side, Riggott lost his place and through injury he didn't return to action until December 18 at Fulham.

Further injury prevented him from reappearing after January 6 until April when he played the last of his seven appearances for the campaign.