Former Stade Rennes coach Lazlo Boloni has signed a two-year contract with Monaco, sources close to the club said on Wednesday.

Boloni, who had been at Rennes since June 2003, was released last week after taking the Brittany club to seventh place in Ligue 1.

He will replace Italian coach Francesco Guidolin who has been reappointed by Serie A Palermo after a one-year stint at Monaco.

Monaco conceded a late goal to fellow mid-table side Nancy as their disappointing Ligue 1 campaign ended with a draw at the Stade Louis II on Saturday night.

The Monegasques will be glad to see the back of a season which saw them fail in both the Champions League and the UEFA Cup as well as the domestic cup competitions.

Their league campaign has also flattered to deceive and their 10th-placed finish is likely to cost coach Francesco Guidolin his job.

Things started badly for Guidolin's side when Gael Givet scored in his own net to put Nancy ahead.

Goals in the space of three second-half minutes by Ernesto Javier Chevanton and Francois Modesto looked to have given Monaco maximum points but Silva Andre Luiz's strike 11 minutes from time meant the sides shared the spoils.

The hosts thought they had broken the deadlock in the third minute when Jaroslav Plasil ran on to a Chevanton through-ball and slotted home through the goalkeeper's legs but the goal was disallowed for offside.

Nancy were ahead six minutes later when Givet, in an attempt to clear Benjamin Gavanon's free-kick, contrived to slice the ball into his own net.

The visitors almost doubled their lead on the half-hour mark but Pascal Berenguer's shot from 15 yards flew just off target.

Monaco lit up a soporific start to the second half with the leveller in the 63rd minute.

Arnaud Lescure saw his shot from 20 yards blocked but the ball fell nicely into the path of Chevanton, who slammed the ball home in unerring fashion.

They were ahead three minutes later when Plasil sent in a corner and Modesto rose to head home from the centre of the penalty area.

Monaco could not hold onto their lead though as substitute Luiz hit the back of the net following a blunder by home goalkeeper Flavio Roma.

Lille will look to book their ticket for the Champions League in the final weekend of action in Ligue 1.

The third-placed club need a victory against Rennes to ensure that Marseille cannot leapfrog them on the final day.

The title race is long since over with Lyon collecting their fifth consecutive title. But below them, the battle for a place in Europe's most prestigous comepetition is reaching its climax.

Lille are clear favourites, holding a two point advantage after stunning Lyon 4-0 last weekend.

Rennes could put up stiffer resistance as they themselves are aiming for a place in the UEFA Cup.

Lille midfielder Mathieu Chalme is well aware of the importance of Saturday's game.

"We would have liked to have secured our place in the Champions League before the final match, but I do believe that we have what it takes," Chalme told www.losc.fr.

"We deserve to win and play in Europe considering our performance in Ligue 1 this year.

"It would be good to qualify for the Champions League for the second consecutive year. We will see if we are a great team on Saturday.

"Clinching a place in the UEFA Cup only would be felt as a huge disappointment. We want to be back to the Champions League and we will do all we can to reach that aim."

If they are to pip Lille to the post, Marseille must win at second-placed Bordeaux and hope for good news from Rennes.

The importance of their own result is paramount. They hope for a Rennes victory that would put them in the Champions League, but if Marseille themselves lose, such a result would leave them out of Europe all together.

"This is an extremely important match for us on Saturday," said Marseille striker Toifilou Maoulida.

"We must win at any price. We cannot think about a loss or even a draw if we are to be in Europe next year.

"Ideally it would be fantastic if Rennes beat Lille and we defeat Bordeaux. Everything is still possible.

"Bordeaux will try to please their crowd for their last home match but we can unsettle them and spoil the party."

Paris St Germain, who face already-relegated Metz, are assured of their place in the UEFA Cup after beating arch-rivals Marseille to win the French Cup Final.

Ajaccio and Strasbourg, who will join Metz in Ligue 2 next season, play St Etienne and Auxerre respectively.

Monaco, whose coach Francesco Guidolin is set to be showed the door this summer after failing to fulfil the club's ambitions, welcome League Cup winners Nancy at the Stade Louis II while Sochaux, Nice and Nantes travel to Toulouse, Troyes and Lens respectively.

Lyon welcome Le Mans in a bid to finish the year on a high at the Stade Gerland.

AS Monaco are interested in Real Madrid coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro.

Monaco's Italian coach Francesco Guidolin is expected to leave the French club over the summer and Lopez Caro is among a shortlist of candidates being considered.

Lopez Caro will leave Real at the end of this season and has come to the notice of Monaco's board thanks to his agent, Gines Carvajal, who has a good relationship with ASM after negotiating Fernando Morientes' loan move from Real two seasons ago.

Italy striker Christian Vieri will have knee surgery in a few days, most likely sidelining him for the World Cup.

Vieri plays for Monaco and a club spokesman Tuesday could not give further details on how long he will be out. But the 32-year-old forward is almost certain to miss the World Cup, which starts June 9.

Vieri twisted his knee March 28. He had transferred from AC Milan to Monaco in January to gain more playing time, with the aim of making Italy's World Cup roster.

He scored three league goals in seven appearances for Monaco. He has 23 goals in 49 games for Italy.

Both Toulouse and Monaco have had disappointing seasons but on Saturday they shared the spoils in a six-goal thriller.

Francileudo Santos put the hosts into an early lead but then the Principality club hit back and strikes from Serge Gapke, Manuel Dos Santos and Ernesto Javier Chevanton looked to have sealed the win.

However, Daniel Moreira pulled one back from the penalty spot with eight minutes to play and then Nicolas Dieuze equalised for Les Violets.

Toulouse started well and Laurent Batlles created a chance for Moreira whose shot was blocked by Diego Perez.

Moreira then created the first goal for Santos with the Brazil-born Tunisian forward finding the far corner.

Gapke equalised seven minutes before the break from the edge of the area and then Olivier Veigneau's cross was headed by Chevanton into the path of Dos Santos who scored as the visitors took control.

After the break Monaco went out to kill the match and Toulouse goalkeeper Nicolas Douchez did well to smother a Chevanton shot with Gapke closing in for the rebound.

When Chevanton's shot after 56 minutes found the net via Douchez's fingertips Monaco must have thought the game was won.

Gapke nearly made it 4-1 when he seized on a mistake by Nabil Taider but he missed the target and he was made to rue his profligacy as Toulouse finished the match with verve.

First, Sebastien Squillaci fouled Moreira in the penalty area and the former France international converted the spot kick to reopen the match as a contest.

The equaliser came two minutes from time when Moreira laid the ball off to substitute Xavier Pentecote who in turn set up Dieuze and his volleyed finish was too good for Fabio Roma and levelled the scores.

Monaco will be eager to keep their recent good form going until the end of the season despite having nothing left to play for.

They travel to Toulouse on the back of a six-match unbeaten run and keeping that going for the final two games of the campaign will add some gloss to an otherwise disappointing season.

The Monegasques, who had championship ambitions back in August, have endured a difficult year which has seen them bow out from the Champions League, the UEFA Cup and both domestic cup competitions, and also see head coach Didier Deschamps resign during the autumn.

His replacement, Francesco Guidolin, took over with the aim of boosting their French title chances but Monaco are now lying in 11th spot, out of reach of a European place.

Guidolin has also reportedly fallen out with Olivier Kapo and Eric Cubilier, both of whom could be sidelined for the clash in Toulouse.

On the injury front, the Italian boss is still deprived of midfielder Gerard (Achilles), midfielder Camel Meriem and goalkeeper Guillaume Warmuz (both knee), and midfielder Vassilis Zikos (groin) while Christian Vieri (ankle) is still getting treatment in Italy for his blow.

Toulouse coach Erik Mombaerts is expected to line up an attacking team to win their last home match of the season.

However, he will be deprived of striker Fode Mansare, who has not yet recovered from his sprained left ankle.

Defender Lucien Aubey is suffering from the same problem and is a doubt.

However Nicolas Dieuze, who was rested this week because of tiredness, is expected to be back in action.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi has told injured Monaco striker Christian Vieri not to abandon his dream of playing a starring role in this summer's World Cup .
The powerful forward sustained a nasty knee injury at the end of March and pundits had put his chances of making the Azzurri squad as low .
But Lippi, who is also waiting for inspirational AS Roma star Francesco Totti to return to club action after breaking his leg in February, is not so pessimistic .
"Vieri is a little behind Totti. He has not recovered enough to be able to train intensively," Lippi said Tuesday at an Italy squad training camp in Rome. "But I tell Christian to hope until the last. Up until May 15 (the day the names of the World Cup squad members must be submitted), everyone has the right to live the dream". Vieri, 32, moved from AC Milan to Monaco in January looking to regain the form needed to win himself a place in the Azzurri squad. He had spent most of his time before Christmas on Milan's subs bench .
But Vieri has only played eight games for the French top-flight club so far, scoring three goals .
The Italian sport's media is focusing much attention on which strikers will go to Germany .
Lippi called up in-form Milan star Filippo Inzaghi to his 29-man squad this week, as well as Livorno striker Cristiano Lucarelli and Empoli's Francesco Tavano, who have scored 19 and 18 goals respectively in Serie A this season .
This is in addition to the three strikers who are assumed to have guaranteed places in the World Cup squad - Fiorentina's Luca Toni, the league's top-scorer with 28 goals, Milan's Alberto Gilardino and Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero .
For Inzaghi, who has 62 caps and has scored 24 goals for Italy, the call-up is a return to the Azzurri set-up after a two-year absence caused by a string of injuries .
"Ever since I've resumed playing, getting back into the national squad has been a fixed aim," said the 32-year-old, who scored both goals in Milan's 2-0 victory over Livorno at the weekend .
"But I shouldn't get carried away because only 23 players will go to Germany and there are lots of good forwards here" .
Lucarelli said he felt like a competitor in "Miss Italy", when asked to assess his chances of making the World Cup squad. "My way of presenting myself as a candidate (for a squad place) is by scoring goals. Goals are my best adverts," said Lucarelli, a hero with many fans for turning down lucrative offers from big sides to stay with hometown club Livorno .
"I'm here because of the 73 goals I've scored over the last three seasons. I think that two of us (Lucarelli and Udinese striker Vincenzo Iaquinta) will be fighting for one place, because Inzaghi is sure to go" .
Pundits expect Lippi to include five strikers in his World Cup squad, or six if Totti recovers .
Lippi said he is confident Totti, who is expected to return to competitive action on Sunday for Roma's Serie A clash with Treviso, will make it .
"I'm optimistic about Totti," the former Juventus coach said .
"He is going through a period of great enthusiasm (about the return), but now is only the start of the difficult period. He'll meet opponents who won't be so soft with him" .
Things do not look good for young talent Antonio Cassano, who is struggling to get into the Real Madrid side after moving to Spain in January .
When asked about Cassano's prospects, Lippi just snapped that he had talked about this subject before .  Lippi's 29-man group does not include the Roma and Inter members of the Azzurri squad - Roma midfielders Daniele De Rossi and Simone Perrotta and Inter defender Marco Materazzi - who are engaged in the first leg of the Italian Cup final Wednesday .
The coach said he has a pretty clear idea about the names of the 23 players who will be going to Germany .
Italy's World Cup campaign starts against Ghana on June 12 .
On Tuesday the Azzurri World Cup wardrobe designed by Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana was presented .
The formal outfit is made up of a dark blue wool-and-silk suit, worn with a shirt and tie of the same colour; while the informal ensemble features a blazer, dark blue jeans and white cotton shirt

Ernesto Javier Chevanton's last-minute strike spared Monaco further embarrassment this season as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Nantes.

The Uruguayan's equaliser cancelled out Aurelien Capoue's 26th-minute opener for the visitors who looked set for a rare away success in their own miserable campaign.

The game always looked like one between two teams with nothing to play for and it wasn't until midway through the first half that either side had a meaningful attempt on goal, Monaco's top scorer Chevanton seeing his effort chalked off for offside.

Three minutes later and Marco Di Vaio forced a good punch from Nantes keeper Mickael Landreau, but almost immediately the visitors broke up the other end to open the scoring.

Defender Franck Signorino fed midfielder Capoue, who kept his composure to control the ball and fire home his third goal of the season.

Chevanton's turn and shot flew over the crossbar just before the break and the striker was at it again after the interval, this time glancing the ball off the top of the bar.

He turned provider minutes later, setting up Di Vaio whose shot was blocked by Signorino.

It was all Monaco at this stage and an equaliser looked inevitable, Di Vaio off target from Jaroslav Plasil's pass.

But as the clock ticked down, so did the home fans hopes, until Plasil and substitute David Gigliotti exchanged passes to set up Chevanton for his sixth goal in the last eight games.

JOE Royle today described Ipswich Town fans as nothing short of phenomenal.
He said: “To be out of the Premiership for four years, and to have just had a disappointing
season it says volumes that over 16,000 season tickets have already been sold for 2006/07.”
Royle has never lost faith in a bright future for the Blues, and that fact that supporters have backed him - and his players - has heightened his resolve.
“It has been a tricky season, and to be honest it will be nice to get it out of the way and start afresh,” added Royle, who takes his team to Plymouth for their final Championship game of the season on Sunday.
“Considering all our financial constraints, and the injuries we have suffered we have done okay to finish in mid-table.
“And a large majority of our supporters realise our problems and have voted their continuing support through season ticket sales.
“Their response has been nothing short of phenomenal.
“On Saturday our fans were great. They came to say goodbye to Jim Magilton and helped to lift the team.
“We needed that win, and it proved the point that goals change games.”
Town have ruled out Danny Haynes and Fabian Wilnis for Sunday's final game of the Championship season at Plymouth Argyle.
Haynes suffered mild concussion in the 2-0 victory over Derby County on Saturday, and when he began vomiting 90 minutes after the match he was taken to hospital as a precaution.
He was kept in overnight, and Town physio Dave Williams said: “Danny is okay now, but he won't be playing on Sunday.”
Royle added: “Fabian has cracked a rib and will not play again this season.”
N (SQUARE) Joe Royle has explained his reasons for letting 22-year-old midfielder Jimmy Juan return to his parent club Monaco odds.
Juan has played his last game for Ipswich Town and will not feature in Sunday's final match of the Championship season at Plymouth.
The player, who has been on loan at Portman Road for 18 months, has one more year on his contract with Monaco to run.
Blues fans will see the decision as a blow to hopes of a successful 2006/07, but Royle explained:
“Jimmy did well when he came into the side and up until the time he was injured.
“But he did not kick-on in the latter part of the season. He has potential, and with a better financial situation at the club we could have given him another year to see how his potential unfolded.
“But our need is next season, and I want players who have already proved themselves at Championship level.
“We already have bags of potential at the club with our own players. We have competition in midfield, and there is the possibility of bringing in a new player during the summer.
“We wish Jimmy well and I thank him for his contribution.”

Monaco odds midfielder Camel Meriem could be out of action for six months after suffering a cruciate right knee ligament injury.

The 26-year-old, who has won three caps for France but was unlikely to be in the squad for this summer's World Cup, broke down during training on Thursday.

Should he require an operation, he will be sidelined until at least October.

"A decision regarding surgery will be made in the next few days," the club revealed in a press statement.

Meriem's loss would be a huge blow for Monaco, although they already look to be out of contention for a European spot next season.

Le Mans' slim UEFA Cup qualification hopes took a further set-back after they were held to a goalless draw by Monaco betting at the Leon-Bolle stadium.

Le Mans, who have now drawn five successive games, struggled to create clear-cut opportunities as the away side settled for a point in a lacklustre encounter.

The result means Le Mans, who are appearing in only their second ever season in the top flight, are now six points adrift of the European places in ninth place.

Tenth-placed Monaco are a further four points behind Les Manceaux, although they do have a game in hand.

And it was the away side that started the game brightest, as Camel Meriem fired over a 25-yard free-kick in the ninth minute.

The home side started to get a foothold in the match and three minutes later Guillaume Lauriot's long distance shot sailed over the crossbar.

In the 15th minute, Koffi Romaric's 30-yard pile-driver was punched back into open play by Monaco goalkeeper Flavio Roma.

Le Mans failed to build on their dominance and did not create any more chances till the 36th minute when Daisuke Matsui's shot was easily held by Roma.

After the interval both sides struggled to create any fluency in their play as the defences held the upper hand.

But just after the hour mark Monaco striker Ernesto Chevanton issued a warning to the home side with a long-range shot that went wide.

In the 77th minute Romaric then had another 30-yard effort punched away by Roma as both sides failed to create any chances in the dying minutes.

A disappointing week ended on a losing note for Marseille as they were beaten 1-0 by Monaco in the Cote d'Azur derby match.

Ernesto Javier Chevanton's strike separated the clubs as Marseille lost yet more points having had one taken away by disciplinary chiefs this week for the controversy surrounding their 0-0 draw with Paris St Germain earlier this season, although both clubs are appealing that decision.

Marseille started the brighter and Franck Ribery created a chance for Toifilou Maoulida who shot too high.

At the other end goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, playing against one of his former clubs, did well to parry a Marco Di Vaio shot and Frederic Dehu scrambled away the loose ball.

The goal came after 28 minutes as Di Vaio worked the ball to Camel Meriem whose cross was headed by the Uruguayan international Chevanton past a static Barthez.

Dehu rescued Marseille again with a tackle to foil Di Vaio who had only Barthez to beat but dallied too long.

In the second half Marseille striker Mamadou Niang beat two defenders before firing in a shot but the ball drifted agonisingly by Flavio Roma's left-hand post.

Barthez then blocked Di Vaio as Monaco went looking for another goal before Maicon worked a one-two with Meriem whose shot flew past the goal guarded by the France goalkeeper.

Roma came to the rescue for Monaco when he pushed away a well-struck shot from Maoulida but at the other end Barthez was relieved to watch a shot from Monaco substitute Olivier Veigneau go wide.

Marseille had one late chance to equalise with a flowing move.

Ribery whipped the ball into the Monaco area and Francois Modesto only managed to half clear.

Pagis met the ball with a stinging volley which Roma was able to save to secure a win that will be one of the highlights of what has been a poor season for Francesco Guidolin's side.

French Cup final has been brought forward to 29 April to allow players to rest before the FIFA World Cup finals.

Date changed
The showpiece was originally scheduled for 20 May but the French Football Federation (FFF) has opted to switch dates because of France's involvement in this summer's tournament in Germany. "The decision was made to safeguard the rest period between 14 and 22 May requested by FIFA," the FFF said. The semi-finals will take place on 20 April, with the last-eight ties being held next week.

Lucrative deal
The FFF has also announced a new television rights deal with TF1 for the broadcast of national team matches from June 2006 until June 2010. The annual fee will rise from €27 to €45.3m over the course of that period. "It's a big relief for the FFF and an encouraging sign for French football," said federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes.

Postponed games
Finally, the French league authorities have rescheduled the postponed game between AS Monaco FC and Olympique Lyonnais as well as the match between FC Sochaux-Montbéliard and FC Girondins de Bordeaux for Thursday 23 April. Ligue 1 organisers were keen for all postponed ties to be played before the 36th round of fixtures, thus ensuring that all teams go into the last three matchdays with just three games remaining.

Lilian Thuram is in determined mood as Juventus approach the sizeable task of overturning Arsenal FC's imposing 2-0 advantage in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final, although he admits his side must be alert to the threat of Thierry Henry.

'No script'
"Winning is not impossible," the France defender said. "That's the nice thing about football - there is no script. Personally, I don't believe in miracles, yet I do believe we can win this match." It may not constitute a miracle but with Patrick Vieira, Mauro Camoranesi and Jonathan Zebina all suspended, Juventus will require inspiration from somewhere if they are to turn the tables on Arsenal.

Henry caution
Goals in each half from Cesc Fabregas and Henry gave the Premiership club a first-leg lead last week. The precocious Cesc won acclaim for his performance at the heart of Arsenal's midfield, but with Juventus needing to score in Turin, the biggest danger could come from Thuram's France team-mate. "We need to be very careful of Henry," he warned. "He's very good when he has space at his disposal so we must ensure we don't give him any."

Powerful bond
Thuram and Henry have forged a strong bond after playing together at AS Monaco FC before winning the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship with Les Bleus in 1998 and 2000. However, that kinship will be forgotten for 90 minutes at the Stadio Delle Alpi. "When you play, you don't think about friendship," Thuram continued. "We're all professionals and we must think of our own game."

Pragmatic approach
The 34-year-old's career has been marked by such pragmatism and asked what Arsenal scoring would mean to the Bianconeri's chances, his answer was simple: "If they score, we will have to pull off an even greater comeback. The outcome of football matches are never set in stone. It shouldn't be taken for granted that Arsenal are through - it's still not impossible for us to get the right result."

Determined attitude
This never-say-die attitude appears a requisite for Juventus, who came within two minutes of elimination in the first knockout round against Werder Bremen, before Emerson capitalised on a mistake by the visiting goalkeeper to send Fabio Capello's men through. Another great escape depends on "everyone being on form and with the right mentality, but sometimes it's difficult to harness collective purpose," said Thuram.

Del Piero encouragement
Ominously for Arsenal, early indications from the Juventus camp are that the team are singing from the same hymn sheet. Alessandro Del Piero, ruled out with a thigh injury, took Thuram to one side after training on Tuesday and said: "See you in the semi-final."

Substitute Bafetimbi Gomis scored a late equaliser to earn his side a point in the mid-table clash against Monaco.

Gomis drew his team level with just seven minutes remaining after Ernesto Chevanton had given the away side the lead at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.

The result leaves both clubs on 42 points and dents their hopes of attempting a late challenge for the UEFA Cup spots.

The home side should have taken the lead in the fifth minute as a counter attack left David Hellebuyck clean through, but he fired his shot wide.

Frederic Piquionne then went close after trying his luck from long range, before Camel Meriem issued a warning to St Etienne with a shot that crept just wide of the target.

Four minutes later Olivier Kapo found himself clean through and, although he appeared to be offside, play was allowed to continue as St Etienne goalkeeper Jeremy Janot pulled off a great save.

Both sides then struggled to create any clear-cut chances as they went into the interval on level terms.

And in the 58th minute Monaco broke the deadlock as Chevanton finished well with a right foot shot from just inside the penalty area.

In the 70th minute Lucas Bernardi should have doubled Monaco's advantage as he fired wide after being put through one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

The home side pushed for the equaliser and they got themselves back on level terms as Mazure passed to Gomis who fired past the Monaco goalkeeper.

And in the last minute St Etienne almost stole the points as Piquionne's header crashed against the crossbar.

WITH the city hosting the world’s largest watch convention this week, Basle’s hotels are full to bursting and Middlesbrough have endured the minor inconvenience of staying in Zurich, an hour’s drive away, before this evening’s Uefa Cup quarter-final, first leg.

It is not for that reason, however, that the passage of time has been playing on the mind of Steve Gibson, the club’s chairman.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Middlesbrough’s liquidation, when the gates of Ayresome Park, the club’s former ground, were locked and they confronted the possibility of extinction. In 1986, Europe was so far removed from reality that it can scarcely have been a distant dream for Gibson, who was a board member at the time and who has subsequently steered them towards rebirth, salvation and triumph.

Middlesbrough are now a pair of two-leg fixtures away from the final — they also remain involved in the FA Cup — and their tie against FC Basle represents a suitable moment for reflection. There have been some epic occasions during Gibson’s tenure — from the rollercoaster years under Bryan Robson, the new stadium, the Carling Cup win and the recent victory over AS Roma — and he can sense another.

“It’s a big, big couple of weeks for the club, the town and the team,” Gibson said. “I can’t remember anything like it; the quarter-finals of two cups, after also getting to the same stage of the Carling Cup. There are great expectations around the place and it will be a big disappointment if we don’t quite get there. The season is on a knife-edge, but I’d rather be here than not.

“Twenty years ago, this club was on its knees and it’s fitting that the anniversary could bring us a special reward. We have got to make sure we end what’s been, at times, a difficult season, on a high. Our league position has been disappointing for everybody concerned and we still haven’t achieved anything yet. We have to remember that as a group and deal with it, because things can fall apart very quickly, but we’re quietly confident. I would happily take either cup.”

Maintaining focus will be a primary requirement for Middlesbrough; as Steve McClaren admitted, this is “a dangerous round because expectations are so high.” Basle, coached by Christian Gross, the former Tottenham Hotspur manager, are leading the Swiss Super League, they have beaten AS Monaco and RC Strasbourg and have a formidable record at St Jakob Park. “Both sides will see this as a fantastic opportunity,” McClaren said.

McClaren is lacking George Boateng and Lee Cattermole, his leading midfield players, both of whom are suspended, and Gareth Southgate, the injured captain. Chris Riggott, who has missed the past two games with a calf problem, is another doubt. They would be significant losses. “We are missing big players,” the manager said, “but the others have to step forward and take the opportunity. We have other leaders.”

They also possess in-form strikers. While keeping a clean sheet is a priority, in Yakubu Ayegbeni, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Mark Viduka, Middlesbrough have three forwards with 46 goals between them this season and, in Massimo Maccarone, one who cost £8.5 million.

“I think we have the four best strikers in the country,” Yakubu, who has scored 19 times, said. “I don’t think there’s a single side in the Premiership that could claim to have four better than we do. Nobody else has the same strength in depth and that is one of the main reasons why we have done so well.”

Monaco came from behind to earn a point against Paris St Germain and move up to 12th in League 1.

Ernesto Chevanton, an eighth-minute replacement for Christian Vieri, scored the equaliser early in the second half after Paulo Cesar had given PSG the lead from a free-kick.

Monaco had the better of the early stages and could have gone ahead in the opening three minutes as Marco di Vaio's well-struck shot forced a good save from Lionel Letizi.

Camel Meriem threatened on 10 minutes from Lucas Bernardi's teasing cross, but David Rozenhal reacted quickest to clear the danger.

Against the run of play, the visitors took the lead on the quarter-hour when Cesar fired home a fantastic 30-yard free-kick beyond the despairing dive of Flavio Roma.

Letizi was called into action again midway through the first half from Chevanton's powerful drive, but PSG then began to get on top.

Roma made a sharp double save from Edouard Cisse and Pauleta, and was then forced into another save by Bernard Mendy on the stroke of half-time.

Kalou combined with Jerome Rothen immediately after the break to put Pauleta through on goal, but Roma again reacted swiftly to deny the Portuguese international.

Monaco dominated the remainder of the match, with Olivier Kapo denied by Letizi before Di Vaio picked out Chevanton for the equaliser.

The Uruguayan finished neatly past Letizi, but was then booked for over-celebrating.

Chevanton could have had a second almost immediately, but Letizi was out quickly to beat him to Kapo's long ball.

Di Vaio's volley then flashed wide before Kapo's shot had Letizi scrambling to hold it at the second attempt.

Chevanton turned provider in the closing stages, but Letizi - only in the side following an injury to Jerome Alonzo in the warm-up - produced yet another fine save to deny Di Vaio.