Defender needs to get mean

Boro boss Gareth Southgate has told Chris Riggott he has got to develop a mean streak if he is to hang on to his place in the side.

The 28-year-old is fighting for a first team place with Emanuel Pogatetz, David Wheater and Robert Huth but he is behind them in the pecking order and Southgate has told him to get mean and start to believe in himself.

Southgate told the Gazette: "I've always said that Chris is a very good player and an important member of the squad.

"He's had two years of frustration with injuries and being in and out of the side.

"Sometimes the biggest problem is himself and having belief in himself.

"Last year I made the mistake of taking him out of the side after a winning performance.

"The Portsmouth game this season was different because we lost and I was entitled to make changes.

"But Chris came back against Wigan and in the first 25 minutes he kept us in the game.

"He was strong and commanding and that's the Chris Riggott we want to see on a regular basis because he can make it very difficult for me to leave him out."