AFTER a week in which England have dispensed with the need for a holding midfielder, Gareth Southgate has claimed that Middlesbrough's midfield versatility is one of the key factors behind their recent surge up the Premier League table.

In recent seasons, the Teessiders have relied upon either George Boateng or Lee Cattermole to provide a tough-tackling anchor at the base of their midfield.

But just as Gareth Barry and Steven Gerrard have dovetailed on the international stage for England, so Fabio Rochemback and Julio Arca have combined at the Riverside Stadium to disprove the theory that every successful side needs a defensive shield in front of its back four.

The South American duo linked impressively as Boro remained unbeaten in consecutive home games against Newcastle and Birmingham and, after spending the formative years of his own playing career as a midfielder, Southgate has been delighted with their ability to perform a range of different roles.

"In the early stage of my career, I played a lot of my football in midfield," said the Boro boss, who will attempt to maintain his side's four-game unbeaten run when he travels to West Ham this afternoon.

"We were always told that a midfielder had to do everything. You had to run, tackle, pass, head and shoot. You defended and you attacked.

"All of a sudden, though, there seemed to be a trend for a 'holding' midfield player. When I was younger, that basically described somebody who's legs had gone and who couldn't be bothered running.

"In certain tactical systems - say three in midfield - teams might prefer to have one midfielder that sits. But I think that if you're playing with a four-man midfield, your two players in the centre need to be able to defend and attack. Julio and Fabio can certainly both do that."

While Arca successfully established himself at the heart of Middlesbrough's midfield last season, Rochemback's sudden emergence has been rather more of a surprise.

Most observers expected the 25-year-old to return to his native Portugal in the summer, and few expected him to walk straight back into the first team after a pre-season dismissal in Austria saw him suspended for the first three matches of the current campaign.

His performance in last month's 2-2 draw with Newcastle proved a revelation, though, and after worshipping a Brazilian pairing of Juninho and Emerson in the past, Middlesbrough supporters are rapidly warming to the club's latest South American central axis.

"They're good footballers, and that's what allows them to play together," said Southgate. "They played together a few times at the end of last season and it worked very well.

"As a side, I think we need to be able to keep the ball, and both Julio and Fabio are comfortable with the ball at their feet.

"They work tremendously hard for the team as well, and neither player is afraid of putting their foot in. They're both prepared to do their defensive duties and they're forming a really good partnership at the moment."

So good, in fact, that skipper George Boateng could struggle to make today's starting line-up at Upton Park.

In Boro's last two matches, Boateng has been shuffled to the right of midfield, but with Gary O'Neil available following his £5m move from Portsmouth, the Dutchman is unlikely to remain on the flank this afternoon.

He could yet be accommodated by a switch to a 4-5-1 formation, although Southgate has suggested that he is reluctant to use O'Neil as an orthodox right midfielder.

"Gary's not what you'd call an out-and-out winger, but that's not the type of player I want there," he explained. "He's a player who can play central or on the right.

"He's very used to playing in the Premier League and he's very fit and athletic. He has lots of energy, in fact I'd suggest he's one of the fittest players in the division.

"He scores his fair share of goals from midfield and, even though he's only 24, he's played over 200 games for Portsmouth and been captain of the club for a spell. He's exactly the type of character I want to bring to this football club."

While O'Neil is expected to make his debut this weekend, fellow newcomer Mohamed Shawky is unlikely to be involved. The Egypt international has spent the last week on Boro's Rockliffe Park training ground, but remains short of match fitness after completing a £650,000 move from Al Ahly.

Chris Riggott is available again after shaking off an ankle problem but, with David Wheater having continued his fine run of form in this month's 2-0 win over Birmingham, the former Derby centre-half could have to settle for a place on the bench.

Wheater's form has been one of a number of positives to have emerged from the opening month of the season, with Boro having recovered from a rocky start to close in on the top half of the table.

"There was more doom and gloom than was necessary during the summer," said Southgate. "We knew what we were trying to do and we knew the early season might be difficult because we would have people missing.

"We won't get too carried away by the few results we've had, but we know how well the players are training and we know we have a stronger squad than last year."

Middlesbrough midfielder Adam Johnson has joined Championship side Watford on a three-month loan.