A FIT-AGAIN Gareth Southgate has urged Middlesbrough's senior players to "lead by example" as the club looks to haul itself out of its current slump.

Southgate, who returned to full training yesterday and is expected to start in tomorrow's must-win Premiership clash with Wigan, was nursing his injured ankle as Boro's season went from bad to worse last weekend.

The 7-0 humiliation at Highbury left the Teessiders just one place above the Premiership drop zone and intensified a sense of crisis that had been brewing for more than a month.

Manager Steve McClaren was quick to defend the six teenagers who were involved six days ago, but pointedly refused to offer an olive branch to his under-performing senior stars.

The likes of Mark Viduka, Aiyegbeni Yakubu, Gaizka Mendieta, Fabio Rochemback and Doriva all came in for sustained criticism in the wake of the Arsenal defeat and, with a number of youngsters likely to be involved again tomorrow, Southgate has called upon his most experienced colleagues to take the lead.

"You have to take criticism on the chin," said the 35-year-old skipper, who hosted a frank team meeting on Sunday morning. "All of the senior players have to take on added responsibility when the team is going through something like this.

"Some of our youngsters have come in and done a fantastic job to keep things going during a time when we've been hit by a number of injuries.

"But it's always the senior players that have to take the initiative and lead by example. I am the captain, and everybody takes their lead from me.

"When things aren't going so well, it can be a difficult game. But these are the times when you have to roll your sleeves up and find out about your team-mates' character."

Southgate's experience was badly missed last weekend, and his imminent return represents a significant boost to a Boro side that have not won a league game since November 20.

After the defender injured his ankle in the recent 1-1 draw at Nuneaton, initial reports suggested he was facing at least three months on the sidelines.

Subsequent scans revealed nothing worse than bruising, though, and the former England international is confident of being available for selection after a further training session this morning.

"Things are pretty good," said Southgate. "I've started training again and, if things go to plan, I'll definitely have a chance of being fit for Saturday.

"I think the weekend's game is a realistic goal because I've made good progress since the ankle got injured.

"At first, there were quite a few scare stories flying around, with suggestions that I might have been out for the rest of the season. That was never on the cards, and it'll be a massive relief when I'm back out on the pitch playing."

Southgate is not the only unexpected addition to the squad for tomorrow's game, as fellow centre-half Ugo Ehiogu is also available for selection following the collapse of his proposed move to West Brom.

Despite passing a medical and agreeing to an 18-month deal at The Hawthorns, Ehiogu was unable to agree personal terms with the Baggies.

The upheaval would have unsettled most players but, having played alongside Ehiogu for the best part of a decade, Southgate insists his former Aston Villa team-mate will not have been fazed by this week's events.

"Ugo was back in training (yesterday) morning and was happy to be back amongst us," he said. "He's very professional in everything he does and I'm sure there won't be a problem if he's called upon this weekend.

"I don't pretend to know the ins and outs of everything that has gone on, but I know he's more than happy to be back training with us and looking forward to playing a part in pushing us back up the league."

Ehiogu might have returned to the Riverside this week, but one Boro player spent yesterday negotiating a move away from Teesside.

Szilard Nemeth is expected to complete a move to Strasbourg over the weekend, and could be replaced by Spaniard Gabri.

The versatile midfielder, who can also play at right-back, had been interesting West Ham, but both the player and his employers, Barcelona, have turned down Alan Pardew's offer of a loan deal.

Boro officials have signified their interest in the Spain international, and it is understood that Mendieta has been in contact with his compatriot regarding a proposed move to the Riverside.

The terms of the deal are still to be agreed, though, with the Teessiders hoping to sign Gabri on loan until the end of the season. Barcelona prefer a permanent transfer, valuing the 26-year-old at around £750,000