MIDDLESBROUGH stalwart Colin Cooper last night revealed his regret at passing up the chance of lifting the Carling Cup in Cardiff.

Cooper, who is just one game short of his 400th appearance for Boro, was left distraught when Steve McClaren left him out of his 16-man squad for February's final against Bolton.

But skipper Gareth Southgate offered Cooper the chance to make club history by accompanying him onto the victory podium following Boro's dramatic 2-1 win.

The 37-year-old did not feel comfortable with the gesture at the time, and opted to stay on the sidelines as his teammates celebrated. But he now admits that he wishes he had swallowed his pride and helped Southgate to hold the trophy aloft.

"During the time Gareth has been at the club we have become good friends," said Cooper, who signed a new one-year deal with Boro at the end of last season.

"After he had done his famous salute to the fans, he came and searched me out and said he would like me to pick up the trophy with him.

"I thought that was a fantastic gesture. At the time I felt I had just sat and watched. So I told him the players had gone out and done the job that was needed on the day, and I declined his offer.

"In hindsight I wish I had said yes. But that was just how I felt at the time.

"Gareth is a great guy, a fantastic defender, and someone worthy of being the captain to lift that first cup for Middlesbrough."

Cooper's Middlesbrough career looked to be in jeopardy when his cup final exclusion was followed by a brief spell on loan at Sunderland.

But he was recalled to the Riverside when injuries began to bite in the latter stages of the campaign, and McClaren showed his faith in the veteran by offering him a new deal last month.

Cooper is keen to get more coaching experience under his belt next season and admits that, despite his personal disappointment, the Boro boss was right to prevent sentiment clouding his judgment in the run-up to the final.

"I had an inkling I wouldn't play," he admitted. "I thought I had done enough to be involved, but both the manager and I said before, there is no room for sentiment.

"The main thing was winning the trophy for the club and the people of Middlesbrough."