MIDDLESBROUGH'S Riverside Stadium is set to be given the go-ahead to host England's crucial European Championship qualifier with Slovakia in June.

It is understood the FA are ready to confirm that Boro are to play host to the national team for the first time since 1937, when they beat Wales 2-1.

If, as expected, the FA do announce the Riverside as the venue, England will then have visited all three of the North-East's top three grounds.

Sunderland's Stadium of Light will be the venue for the England v Turkey Euro 2004 qualifier in April after successfully staging a friendly against Belgium in October 1999.

In September 2001 Newcastle's St James' Park hosted the World Cup qualifier with Albania, which England won 2-0.

In October the FA confirmed Boro's stadium was being considered as a possible venue, along with other grounds.

At the time Boro chief executive Keith Lamb said: "We would be delighted to host a full England international. It would be an honour for the football club and the town as a whole.

"As one of the best grounds in the Premier League, we believe the Riverside would be an ideal venue, especially as we have successfully hosted England games at Under-21 and youth level in the past."

It has been reported that Slovakian representatives have already visited Teesside to check the facilities at the Riverside, which has successfully held three Under-21 games.

When the match is confirmed, it could see Boro's England stars Gareth Southgate, Jonathan Greening and Ugo Ehiogu go head-to-head with Slovakian club mate Szilard Nemeth.

Meanwhile, Tottenham are understood to be preparing a bid for Boro striker Alen Boksic, whose contract is up at the end of the season.

And Boro boss Steve McClaren is expected to learn whether his bid for Leeds midfielder Seth Johnson has been successful some time this morning.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.