The vastly experienced central defender has enjoyed a tremendous run of form of late. The Middlesbrough team he captains has reached the Carling Cup Final and defeated Manchester United in the Premier League at Old Trafford. It’s understandable, then, that Southgate comes into the squad to face Portugal brimming with an inner-belief in his own abilities.

"I’m very pleased with my form. You can go on doing the same thing every week but when you play well in a couple of high profile games I suppose people pay a little bit more attention," he says of the plaudits he has been receiving lately.

Gareth’s super-human block from John O'Shea from four yards out helped to secure a tremendous victory for Steve McClaren’s men at Old Trafford earlier this month but Gareth is typically modest about his own contribution.

"I was more pleased that I caught Ryan Giggs with a tackle in the first half as he was going through on Schwarzer!" he says.

"The block was more a case of throwing yourself at the ball and hoping you get a touch.

"Some people grab the attention more with their play but I tend to do things more simply. I’m not usually in the position where I have to make those kind of blocks because I like to get into position a bit more early.

"I’ve always been good at reading the game so maybe because of that people don’t think you’re as strong or as quick as you are.

"People always under-estimated David Seaman for that reason. No position on the field is as easy as David made it look.

"But what is nice is that, as I’ve been getting older, people seem to have been giving me more credit. It’s really pleasing that people respect you as a player. When you look back on your career that is what you hope to have achieved."

Back in the England fold, Gareth immediately feels at home, and makes those around him feel at ease too.

"I know lots of people have made a big thing about me being in the squad this time. Maybe they don’t remember that I missed the Turkey game because I was out injured and then Sven did call me up for the Denmark game but I had to pull out through injury," he points out.

And the most experienced outfield player in the party relishes his role as a leader.

"I feel a responsibility because as an older player, people look at you and see how you are going to react to things. That is something that I have got used to at club level and you begin to see it as part of your role as a senior player to help people along."

No matter how experienced he gets, Gareth never loses the thrill of pulling on an England shirt.

"For me it’s the ultimate to represent your country," he admits.

"It’s also nice to come away and have a break from the club scene and experience a different environment. You learn a lot too, both in terms of playing and in terms of talking to the other lads.

"You’re training against the best in the country so it definitely sharpens you up and that’s great when you go back to your club. I don’t get that with European football at the moment so it’s important for me to be here for these England get-togethers."

Looking ahead, Gareth is desperate to take his latest opportunity.

"I’ve come into the game with a good run of form and, the way that things have worked out, it looks like I’ve got a good chance to play," he says.

"I’m very keen to go to EURO2004 and want to do everything I can to ensure that I get there."

ENGLAND

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