GARY SPEED has thrown his weight behind the campaign to convince Sven-Goran Eriksson that Newcastle birthday boy Jonathan Woodgate is the answer to England's defensive poser.

Magpies midfielder Speed joined the chorus of approval after Woodgate's outstanding display under Eriksson's gaze in the 3-1 victory over Fulham at St James' Park on Monday night.

Woodgate, 24 today, already boasts glowing endorsements from manager Sir Bobby Robson, teammates Alan Shearer and Kieron Dyer, and Aston Villa boss David O'Leary, who oversaw his emergence while in charge of Leeds.

The perceived wisdom in football appears to be that Eriksson should look no further than Middlesbrough-born Woodgate as England face the prospect of life without the banned Rio Ferdinand at Euro 2004.

Woodgate, signed by Robson from Leeds for £9m nearly a year ago, has only played four games since recovering from a hamstring injury and was out for two months this season after surgery for a double hernia.

But Wales skipper Speed said: "Jonathan has got everything a centre-half could want.

"He's not weak in any department. He's great in the air and lightning quick. He talks a hell of a lot; I can hear him behind me all the time talking.

"He's got good feet and he reads the game well. He's a fantastic defender and he's great for us to have here.

"If he keeps playing the way he has, he can get in the England squad for Portugal. Sven-Goran Eriksson cannot have been anything but impressed by his performance against Fulham.

"In the second half we were under pressure, but Woody was a rock. It's important that he gets a good run in the team.

"Hopefully he can steer clear of injuries and have a bit of luck. I am sure Sven came to see particular players and Woody, Kieron and Jermaine Jenas all did well.

"I really enjoy playing alongside JJ. He's an excellent player. He's been in the team for two years now and is still only 20 - people forget that.

"He's got great ability and has a fantastic career ahead of him. He's a great lad as well and works hard at his game.

"He can only go one way - and that's up.''

Newcastle's win over Fulham saw them climb to fifth place above the Londoners and Liverpool, and they have now lost only one of their last 12 games in all competitions.

Speed said: "We're desperate to keep this run going and get that fourth spot in the Premiership.

"But there is still room for improvement. We were a bit sloppy in the second half.

"It would have been nice to keep another clean sheet, but we didn't deserve to because maybe we were too comfortable and relaxed when we were 3-0 up, whereas Manchester United and Arsenal would have been more ruthless.

"But we're still a young team and hopefully we'll learn. Overall, we're playing well, but we are still a bit short. We played better last season, so we can improve and hopefully it's not too late. The home defeat by Blackburn was the kick up the backside that maybe we needed. Since then our standards have risen.

"After the FA Cup win at Southampton, we said we'd set our standards so let's maintain them because that's what we will need to get into the Champions League again.''

Speed, 34 and two games short of 400 Premiership appearances, said: "There are older players than me still playing.

"This appearance thing gets on my nerves a bit.

"Everyone mentions it and hopefully after the 400th people will stop asking me about that.

"It's a great achievement, but it's all about winning games for Newcastle.''

Meanwhile, the Magpies expect to open talks with Henrik Larsson's representatives in the next 24 hours.

Newcastle turned to Celtic's Swedish star in their search for more firepower after failing in a £2m move for Leeds striker Alan Smith.

The Geordies hope Larsson, 32, will sign a pre-contract before completing a Bosman transfer this summer.

But they haven't given up hope of landing Smith, and will wait to see if crisis club Leeds go into administration before making any renewed move.

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