DEAN WINDASS last night admitted the Middlesbrough dressing room was in a state of shock when Terry Venables revealed he could be staying with the club.

Venables, "surprised'' himself by the offer from chairman Steve Gibson to take control at the Riverside, admits he faces a "huge decision''.

And, despite confirming he has been the subject of rival offers, Venables insisted: "This is the only option I'm considering.''

Windass, signed by Venables from Bradford for £1m shortly before the transfer deadline, feared the worst when Boro's head coach walked on to the pitch to shake hands with the players after Saturday's 2-1 win over West Ham.

"As soon as he came out when we were stood in the middle, I thought that was it,'' confessed Windass.

"I remember turning to Paul Okon and saying: 'There's our answer.' When he came into the dressing room with Steve Gibson and said he'd made a decision, but the chairman had asked him to do something else and they were working on that, I must admit I was very surprised.

"All the players want him to stay. The big attraction is his coaching and the way he talks to individuals and gives advice.

"It gives you confidence and encourages every one of us, from the youngsters to the oldest player at the club.

"You can't put into words how good he is. Just look where we've finished - 14th after all our problems. It's a superb achievement.

"Now we have a glimmer of hope and that's better than him just walking away. I hope Steve can persuade him to stay.

"We had a players' meeting a few of weeks ago after the Ipswich game when Steve came to the training ground and said he didn't know what was going to happen, but that he was doing everything he could to keep Terry here.

"Before he left on Saturday, Terry said we'd had a good end to the season and we have to build on that.

"We're all hoping that will be with him in charge.''

l Boro's Ugo Ehiogu has been omitted from the England squad to face Mexico and Greece.

Sven-Goran Eriksson also reacted to the absence of Andy Cole through suspension for the World Cup qualifier in Athens by turning to 20-year-old Leeds star Alan Smith instead of Kevin Phillips or Marcus Stewart.

Two stars who may have feared their England days were over are back in the reckoning - Martin Keown and Gareth Southgate.