MIDDLESBROUGH have told European football's governing body to enter them in next season's much-maligned Intertoto Cup - with North-East rivals Newcastle United expected to follow suit, writes PAUL FRASER.

The deadline for clubs wishing to enter the competition, which offers a backdoor route into the UEFA Cup, is later today and for the second year in a row two of the region's teams look to have put their names forward.

Boro and Newcastle will be hoping to secure a place in the UEFA Cup either by winning the FA Cup or climbing into the top six of the Premiership this season.

But, following the dreadful starts to the campaign suffered by both, the Intertoto Cup has been entered in order to provide a safety net should they fail to qualify for Europe by other means.

Last season Boro's record seventh-place finish ensured they did not have to play in the much-derided tournament. The same could not be said of Newcastle.

And, after edging past Slovakian side ZTS Dubnica in round three, their early season exertions proved pointless when they were dumped out by Deportivo La Coruna at the next stage.

Now it seems both clubs are prepared to head back to training early this summer in a bid to try to ensure European football falls at the Riverside Stadium and St James' Park again next year.

Meanwhile, Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given is expected to be named the new Republic of Ireland captain when Steve Staunton's first squad is announced tomorrow.

Staunton, assisted by former Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson, is ready to hand the Magpies goalkeeper the chance to wear the captain's armband after Kenny Cunningham retired from international football in March last year.

Given, with 72 caps behind him, is viewed as one of the most respected players in the Irish camp and got on well with Staunton during his playing days during Mick McCarthy's days in charge.