HE HAD previously talked of starting next season without a club captain, but Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has now hinted that Emanuel Pogatetz will continue as the club's skipper on a permanent basis.

Pogatetz finished last season with the captain's armband, having succeeded George Boateng, Jonathan Woodgate and Julio Arca, all of who skippered the side at various stages of a difficult campaign.

Southgate spent the second half of last season reassessing the captain's role, and even suggested that he might scrap the traditional system of appointing a full-time club captain in order to promote a number of "tribal elders" who could share Boro's leadership responsibilities.

However, further discussions have convinced him of the benefits of appointing a permanent captain, and Pogatetz is now almost certain to get the role.

The Austria international, who is currently preparing to represent his country in next month's European Championships, is popular with the rest of the Boro squad and has proved he can provide a valuable link between the club's players and its management.

"There is a very good chance that Poggy will be captain," said Southgate, who is ready to make a formal offer for Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell as soon as the London club's new managerial structure is in place.

"He is very driven in his manner, and he relates to my beliefs and approach.

That will be important next season, and through his performances and attitude last season, he has proved he is more than up to the job."

As well as moving closer to resolving the captaincy issue, Southgate is also considering adding to his backroom staff ahead of the new campaign.

First-team coach Steve Harrison has been unwell recently, and it is not yet clear how much responsibility the 55-year-old will take on next season. He remains a valued member of Boro's backroom set-up, but if he is unable to commit to his current schedule, Southgate will appoint a new senior coach.

Colin Cooper will continue to be heavily involved in firstteam affairs, and with his former team-mate alongside him on the training ground, Southgate is quick to refute suggestions that the Teessiders lack a disciplinarian influence.

"Both Colin and myself certainly know how to play 'Bad cop', " said the Boro boss. "I know where I have to nail things down in terms of discipline. I started to do that towards the end of last season, and I think the players have realised that some things are not going to wash with me.

"In addition, I also have to realise which are the important things to nail down immediately, and which are things that you can allow to ride on for a bit."

The draw for this summer's Algarve Challenge Cup has pitted Middlesbrough against Scottish champions Celtic and Portuguese side Vitoria Guimaraes.

Boro will face Celtic in the Estadio Algarve on Tuesday, July 22 (ko 9.30pm), before facing Vitoria Guimaraes in the same stadium on Thursday, July 24 (ko 7.15pm).

There are two matches on every day, and tickets, which are on sale now at www. algarvechallengecup. com, are for a specific day rather than a specific match.