GARETH SOUTHGATE last night gave Middlesbrough some more worrying words by warning: 'I'm desperate to play in the Champions League.'

The Boro skipper will play at the heart of England's defence against Serbia & Montenegro tonight, as he is given another chance to try to dislodge Sol Campbell and Rio Ferdinand's first choice defensive partnership.

And Southgate, who has been at the centre of speculation regarding his future since the Premiership season ended, has hinted that he would love the chance to play in this continent's most exclusive football competition.

Boro failed to qualify for the UEFA Cup next season and the 32-year-old has been linked with moves to Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle.

And Southgate, who is currently enjoying the best form of his career, said: "It is frustrating that I have not played more European football. You want to test yourself against the best and that means Champions League football. It hasn't been the case.

"You can't have everything. A lot of players have played European football but maybe have not as much international experience as I have. In an ideal world you would have the lot.

"I don't think there is a player who retires without something that is not quite as they would have liked.

"Roy Keane has won everything but would still have liked to played against Bayern Munich when Manchester United won the Champions League final."

Boro boss Steve McClaren has insisted he has no intention of selling his best defender.

But Southgate admits that a lack of football on the Champions League stage has not helped his battle to become an England regular at the heart of the defence.

"I came to the club with a view to help the club to progress and I think they have done that," he said. "With the team we had, we have probably just had an acceptable season.

"But to play in the Champions League is still an ambition for me. When you are involved with England you realise again and again how much those big nights mean.

"I think if you play in the Champions League it helps you.

"Your profile is higher and as a player it keeps you that little bit sharper as well. You are playing more competitive matches. The Premiership is a different style of game.

"Not playing in the Champions League counts against you but for the right reasons because I think it is an understandable reason for the manager to say 'these guys are playing big, big matches every time and are sharper for it'. I think it is right."

Despite being Sven-Goran Eriksson's third-choice centre-back - behind Champions League regulars Campbell and Ferdinand - Southgate admits he can understand why he has struggled to command a regular place for his country.

But the former Aston Villa man has already set his sights on taking on Slovakia in a European Championship qualifier at Boro's Riverside Stadium next Wednesday.

He said: "I think the boss has always stuck with Rio and Sol when they are fit and I've accepted that.

"They've done very well when they have played together.

"If I was one of those two, I would feel very aggrieved if I was left out. They've not let anyone down in any way.

"But them not being here does give me a chance to play and that's a great feeling. I have to grab my opportunities when they come.

"This is the reason why you hang in there and you accept the knocks, the lows of not being involved in the World Cup.

"I always say that your opportunity comes around if you hang in there long enough and it has for me. That is why I am here.

"If I start against Serbia and then against Slovakia, then I will have played in five of the seven games this season. That is pretty positive for me."

Read more about Middlesbrough here.