Southgate's faith in Boro's star quality

Nigerian international Okocha, who scored a sublime free-kick at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton's 5-2 semi-final first-leg victory over Aston Villa, will be the main threat to Boro's ambition of winning the first major trophy in their 128-year history.

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce also boasts the likes of Youri Djorkaeff, Javi Moreno and Ibrahim Ba in his cosmopolitan squad.

But Southgate insists that in Juninho, Gaizka Mendieta and Bolo Zenden, among others, Boro have players equally capable of rising to the big occasion.

Southgate said: "Bolton might be under-rated by some, but not by me. We're playing a very good team and one who, on their day, can beat anybody in the country, so it will be tough.

"I think they showed in the first leg of their semi against Villa what they are capable of.

"They have world stars and players like that want to perform on a big stage and this final will be that.

"But, having said that, we have some of our own and they will also relish the game, so it should be a great final.''

The Millennium Stadium stages the Football League showpiece on the last day of the month and Southgate is hoping to emerge as a cup-winning captain for the first time.

Alongside Ugo Ehiogu, his central defensive partner with Boro, Southgate picked up a winner's medal when Villa beat Leeds 3-0 in the 1996 Coca-Cola Cup final.

But Southgate also knows the heartache of a final defeat; along with Ehiogu and Boro midfielder George Boateng, he was in the Villa side beaten by Chelsea in the 2000 FA Cup final at Wembley.

Southgate said: "We're as close as we can be to lifting silverware, that's obviously the focus for us.

"It would be fantastic to win it, but I'm not going to start dreaming about it yet.

"It will be very special. I've not been to Cardiff for a final and everybody who has been there tells me it's a magnificent atmosphere and a fantastic stadium.

"It'll be a new experience for everybody except Bolo. I think he's been there with Chelsea.

"But for the fans and everybody behind the scenes here, it's going to give everyone and the whole town a real buzz.

"From the players' point of view, we have to try to bury it in the back of our minds because the league is still important to us and we don't want to start focusing on the final yet.

"But when it comes round, we have to try to bring the trophy home, because I've won a final and lost a final and I know which I preferred.''

Steve McClaren's Boro triumphed over an under-strength Arsenal 3-1 on aggregate at the Riverside on Tuesday after the Gunners' new £17m Spanish striker Jose Antonio Reyes, on his full debut, had given the Teessiders a 2-1 lead on the night with an own goal five minutes from time.

But Southgate admitted that Arsene Wenger's side, reduced to ten men just before half-time when Martin Keown was sent off for a professional foul on Massimo Maccarone, had still provided Boro with a stern test.

Zenden doubled the lead Juninho secured for Boro in the first leg at Highbury, before Edu scored to set up a tense finale.

Southgate said: "In the two games, Arsenal haven't put out their strongest team, but they certainly didn't put out a weak team here.

"It was full of internationals, they had a new signing in the side, and they were going for it in their own way. It's a big win for us.

"You saw by the way they played that Arsenal are a club who fight through everything. They showed their qualities when they went down to ten men because, against most sides, that would have been game over but it almost drew even more out of them.''

Southgate also saluted the home fans, saying: "They were fantastic from the minute we walked out. The atmosphere gave everybody a huge lift. We knew they would be with us in periods of the game where we had to dig in.

"This run started against Brighton when there was hardly anyone here.

"Then there was a lousy night at Wigan, and two very long nights against Everton and Tottenham. It's been a difficult route through.''

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