CHRIS Riggott might think John Terry is the best defender in the Premiership, but the Middlesbrough centre-half is desperate to emulate the Chelsea's captain's attacking play.

Terry, who is expected to battle it out with team-mate Frank Lampard for this season's Player of the Year award, has produced a series of commanding displays as Chelsea have shipped just eight goals in their 27 league games.

But he has been just as influential at the other end of the field, with his seven successful strikes providing a valuable extra dimension to the league leaders' attacking play.

Riggott is no stranger to finding the back of the net himself. His senior debut for Derby was crowned with a goal and he eventually weighed in with five during his first full season at Pride Park.

Last weekend's close-range finish against Charlton made it two for this campaign after he also netted in November's 2-0 win over Liverpool.

Keeping goals out remains the major part of his job but, after watching Terry make such an impact in the opposition's penalty area, the 24-year-old is hoping to prove similarly successful as Boro attempt to stay in the top six.

"It would be nice to score a few more," revealed Riggott, who can boast a total of 12 goals in his senior career. "This season has proved how important it is for the centre-halves to score.

"Watching the likes of John Terry go up and nod goal after goal in makes you realise just what an asset it is if your defenders can get goals from set-plays.

"I love getting up for set-pieces - I try to linger around for as long as I can in the hope of a chance falling to me.

"Terry is the player that stands out for me this season. He's been fantastic week in, week out.

"Chelsea have been doing so well, and they've got all of these great players, but its good that it's a local English lad that's driving them on.

"He's the skipper and he's led from the front all season. It's testament to his character as much as his ability that he can push all of these multi-million pound players out of the limelight.

"His defending has been excellent, but his goals have been just as important at crucial times."

As well as admiring Chelsea's leading defensive light, Riggott has also been looking a little closer to home for inspiration.

Since moving from the Midlands in January 2003, the former England Under-21 international has formed a close relationship with Boro skipper Gareth Southgate.

With Ugo Ehiogu suffering a succession of injury lay-offs, the pair have spent most of this season playing alongside each other.

And, with Riggott currently producing some of his best displays in a Middlesbrough shirt, Southgate's influence is clearly having an effect.

"You are taught the basics of defending from an early age," said Riggott. "But someone like Gareth can teach you about the attitude that you need if you're going to succeed in the Premiership.

"I've learned so much from his approach to the game and his professionalism.

"He's the skipper of the club and he's respected by everyone he plays with. People on the outside maybe don't appreciate just how professional he is in everything he does. You can learn an awful lot from him.

"He's a good honest professional. He's got a lot of ability and he's had a great career, but he's still doing all of the right things on a daily basis."

Southgate has been the lynchpin of the Boro defence since he made a £6.5m move from today's opponents Aston Villa in July 2001.

The former England international has not missed a Premiership game since the end of August but, after turning 34 in September, McClaren will gradually have to start planning for life after his skipper's retirement.

There are no Alan Shearer style plans to call it a day but, with Southgate unlikely to play beyond the end of his current contract at the end of next season, there could soon be an opening for a dominant defender able to take over the captain's armband.

Riggott could well be that man and, while he is far too savvy to hint that his team-mate's days could be numbered, he has admitted that he would love to emulate what he has achieved in the future.

"If I can follow anything that Gareth's done, it would make me very proud," he said.

"I definitely see myself being at Boro for as long as I can imagine. I'm happy here and I'm delighted with the way things have been going.

"I wouldn't like to make any predictions with Gareth because he could be playing for a lot of years yet. But, if I can achieve anything like the success he has, I'll have had a career to be proud of."

Despite the presence of the likes of Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell, that career could yet include a string of appearances for England.

Riggott could well have made his international bow against Holland last month had he not been laid low with injury.

And, while Sven Goran Eriksson is currently over-run with world-class centre-halves, their propensity for picking up problems means his name will always be in the frame if he maintains his current run of form.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't interested in playing for England," said Riggott. "It's something that every young player aspires to - although I suppose I'm not really that young any more.

"The most important thing to me has got to be to stay in the Boro team and keep performing well.

"But, if people then want to mention England, it's up to them. The most important thing for me is to play well for Boro."

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