TWO unhappy Middlesbrough stars last night revealed their disapproval at being omitted from the last England squad.

Midfielder Jonathan Greening and club skipper Gareth Southgate were both unfortunate absentees when Sven-Goran Eriksson's men took on Australia eight days ago.

Greening had been named in Eriksson's previous squad for a training meet, but he was left frustrated for the match with the Socceroos and he admits he was bemused by his non-selection.

"I got in the England squad for the get-together," said the former Under-21 international.

"We only trained once so I was a bit disappointed not to get into the next squad with it being a friendly.

"It would have been nice to have had a chance, but I never got it. It's just one of those things.

"But you can never give up. It's my dream to play for England so I've just got to keep going for it.

"I didn't get a call or anything (from Eriksson) so I am not really sure what happened.

"Some of the lads who weren't at the get-together were in the squad for the Australia squad. It was a bit strange, but it doesn't really matter now."

Like Greening, experienced Southgate was also left frustrated as Eriksson chose to include young Tottenham defender Ledley King, Manchester United's Wes Brown and Birmingham centre-back Matthew Upson, as well as regulars Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell.

But the Boro captain, who has been in outstanding form at club level since signing from Aston Villa in the summer of 2001, indicated he was told by the England boss that the younger generation were to be handed a chance.

"On an individual basis it was disappointing because I always want to be involved," he said, aware of the upcoming qualifiers with Liechenstein and Turkey.

"But the manager did say to me he wanted to look at younger players in the second half, that's his decision and I have to respect that.

"I just hope to be in the fold for the important Euro 2004 qualifying games next month. On a more important level, we have to lift ourselves as a country for those games."

Ugo Ehiogu is set to return to action for the reserves against Bradford City next Tuesday. He saw a specialist two days ago and was given the all-clear to step up his recovery.

* Boro fans are being offered the chance to watch this Saturday's clash with Sunderland by 'Beam Back' at the Riverside.

Around 850 tickets are now on general sale, priced £10 each, at the stadium's ticket office and the MFC retail in Captain Cook Square, Middlesbrough.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.