NEWCASTLE United manager Glenn Roeder has identified Middlesbrough defender Chris Riggott as a January transfer target.

The United boss, who has only three fit defenders for the visit of Watford this afternoon, is desperate to strengthen his back four and has had Riggott watched on several occasions recently.

The 26-year-old centre half has featured for Gareth Southgate's side on only three occasions this term following an ankle ligament injury he picked up in the Teessider's 4-0 home defeat to Portsmouth in late August.

Although the former Derby County defender has battled back to full fitness in recent weeks he has slipped down the pecking order following the arrivals of Jonathan Woodgate and Robert Huth, and the inspired form of Emanuel Pogatetz.

Roeder missed out on both Huth and Woodgate during the August transfer window but he is confident he can persuade Riggott to swap the Riverside for St James' Park due to his lack of first-team opportunities.

Southgate may be reluctant to allow his former defensive partner to leave the club considering Huth is currently injured.

Huth suffered a stress fracture of the foot in training last week, and is not due to return to the first-team squad until the new year.

But Southgate may be persuaded to let his defender leave if the Magpies offer Boro the £2m they paid Derby nearly three years ago.

Newcastle may have three or four more back off the treatment table for today's visit of Aidy Boothroyd's side but they still have only three fit defenders.

The United boss will once again turn to his inexperienced centre-half pairing of Peter Ramage (23) and Steven Taylor (20) to lead his defence, with Celestine Babayaro at left back. Titus Bramble, Craig Moore, Stephen Carr and Olivier Bernard are all injured.

Midfielder Nolberto Solano has been deputising admirably at right back but today's game with the Premier League's bottom club has come too soon for the Peruvian, who is struggling with a groin strain.

Paul Huntingdon is likely to make his home debut after a fleeting second-half appearance in the 3-1 victory at Blackburn last Saturday and impressing in the midweek clash with champions Chelsea, where he made his full first-team start at right back.

"I was very pleased with Paul at Chelsea," said Roeder, looking to record a third consecutive home league victory today.

"It is very rare a player has to make his debut in such surroundings with such high stakes involved.

"He is a young central defender but was asked to play right back against a player (Arjen Robben) who, some say, is world class. He handled himself and the player very well.

"It was pleasant surprise. You are concerned when you give younger players their debut that it might be too much for them. You would like to give a debut, ideally, in less high-class company. But he come through it with flying colours.

"He has now been blooded. I was told when I was a young defender that one swallow does not make a summer but let us hope there are plenty more swallows for him over the next year."

Wednesday capped a remarkable year for the 19-year-old academy defender after Roeder revealed it was feared he might never play again.

"This time last year he spilt about two pints of blood playing for the academy," revealed Roeder.

"(Goalkeeper) Tim Krul nearly took his head off, trying to clear a ball, when Paul was trying to chase back.

"He was in hospital overnight and had 40 stitches around his eye. He was in a hell of a state at the time and it was horrible to see.

"But football changes quickly and a year later he is in the first team at Stamford Bridge and played very well."