EMANUEL Pogatetz is hoping to have his international ban overturned and get the green light to play for his country again.

The Middlesbrough defender was banned from playing for Austria after receiving a red card during his country's World Cup qualifier with Northern Ireland. He clashed with Damien Johnson in his side's 2-0 victory and both received their marching orders. The Austrian was hit with a two match ban.

But because Austria don't have to play any qualifying games for the forthcoming European Championships - they are one of the host countries - it means Pogatetz has yet to serve his ban as it only applies to competitive fixtures and his home nation have only played frendlies since last year's World Cup.

If UEFA uphold the ban it would mean the former Grazer AK player would be unable to play for his country until the last group game of the first stage of the 2008 competition.

Europe's governing body meet at the end of this month and Pogatetz's plight will be on the agenda.

To complicate things even further, Boro's player of the season fell out with the Austrian manager Josef Hickersberger last year following a draw with Costa Rica and defeat to Venezuela.

Pogatetz later confessed he had made up with his national coach since then but his situation is delicate to say the least.

"The manager said he would pick me again after my ban is decided," said the 24-year-old. "We are all confident it will get reduced.

"The manager spoke to me two weeks ago and he decided he wants me back."

There has been a precedent set with Germany's Torsten Frings which could assist Pogatetz's case.

Following Germany's penalty shoot-out victory over Argentina in the World Cup last year, Frings was fined and suspended by FIFA for two games (one of which is subject to a six-month probationary period) for his role in the brawl that broke out between the teams after the match.

After reviewing video footage of the brawl, FIFA's Disciplinary Committee determined that Frings had punched Argentine forward Julio Cruz and levelled punishment accordingly.

The second game of the suspension was made probationary due to the Committee recognising Frings had been provoked.

Pogatetz added: "They (FIFA) did something similar with Frings. The Austrian FA asked if they could do the same for me and they hope to have some success."

The worst case scenario would see UEFA refuse to lift the ban - imposed on October 12, 2005 - and he would have to sit out two games nearly two-and-a-half-years after the offence committed.

But an optimistic Pogatetz added: "He (Hickersberger) may still pick me even if I am banned for the two games because the last game could still be important."