Southgate sweating on Euro 2004

England coach Sven Goran Eriksson will now be sweating on Southgate's fitness as he was already considered to be on the plane for Portugal.

The Boro skipper, who was only just returning to training from a jaw injury, suffered a freak training ground incident on Tuesday which will now see him sidelined for the rest of the season.

In a statement to skysports.com, his agent Steven Firth described how bitterly disappointed Southgate was.

"I don't know of any other player who wears the Three Lions of England with such pride and distinction," said Firth.

"He is a leading example both on and off the pitch and will be desperate to be fit for England.

"Having spoken to Gareth he is bitterly disappointed to have picked up the injury at this point.

"It came from nothing, it is a tackle you see 100 times on the training pitch.

"His principal concern is now trying to get back to fitness.

"I am personally so disappointed for him, but he could still be a major influence in Portugal and I just hope he comes through," added Firth.

"If Gareth believes that he can be fit for Euro 2004 then I am sure that he can.

"Everyone is concerned about England, but this is a huge loss to Middlesbrough football club - who will miss him dearly until the end of the season."

Skysports.com broke the news of Southgate's injury concern on Tuesday - and now it has been confirmed that the injury is bad enough to rule him out for the next five weeks at least.