Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate insisted Jonathan Woodgate is looking ripe for an England recall after his majestic display helped secure a goalless draw at Bolton.

Woodgate is at the Riverside Stadium on a season-long loan from Real Madrid having made just 14 appearances during two injury-ravaged seasons for the Spanish giants.

After being given the captain's armband at the Reebok Stadium due to George Boateng's suspension, Woodgate's fitness levels looked strong while his quality remains undoubted.

He nullified Thierry Henry's threat on his debut against Arsenal last week and followed that display by subjecting Bolton's £8million record signing Nicolas Anelka to an afternoon of frustration.

The Middlesbrough fans again chanted 'Woody for England', and Southgate said: "We know the class he's got and there's no question that given a bit more football, he will be knocking on the door for England.

"I think it's important for him that we look after him, training-wise, and in terms of the number of matches we play him in, in the early stages of his time here.

"He will have gained a lot of confidence from coming through two tough Premier League games and he's an awesome player."

Woodgate was imperious throughout and, on this form, could win an international call-up for next month's Euro 2008 qualifiers against Macedonia and Croatia.

Against Bolton, Woodgate's calmness seemed to bring out the best in his defensive partner, Emanuel Pogatetz.

"The back-four were superb and the two centre-backs in particular," added Southgate. "Bolton are always going to have a strong aerial threat but the both of them stood up to that and they both read the game very well.

"When one of them wasn't there, the other was in his place to tidy up and they looked a good pair."

The point was another major plus for Southgate following last week's 1-1 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Southgate named five home-grown youngsters in his starting line-up and each of them played their part.

Despite Bolton dominating for long periods, Boro were always a threat in attack.

They should have pilfered the points with 10 minutes remaining when Yakubu fired wastefully wide after Jason Euell sent him clear.

Southgate said: "We spoke before the game about the character that we would need at a place like this, particularly with a very young side.

"We showed it last week against Arsenal to hang on with 10 men and we showed it again to stand up to the threat that Bolton posed.

"When I look at their side there is a lot more senior players but the spirit that we showed really pleased me.

"We had the best chance of the game and it would have been a classic away performance if we could have pinched it."

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce was left frustrated as Anelka once again failed to sparkle.

The French striker showed glimpses of the undeniable talent that has seen him rack up transfer fees in excess of £51million throughout his nomadic career - but he was largely left isolated.

Allardyce, who gambled a large portion of his summer budget on the former Arsenal, Real Madrid and Manchester City striker, said: "There were reasons for that (Anelka's performance).

"Middlesbrough's tactics, in terms of playing like we've done for many a season in a 4-5-1 and playing on the break only and being difficult to break down.

"We worked on that all week and we knew we'd have to be patient and would have to produce the quality of ball that would break Middlesbrough down.

"We didn't do that and our efforts on goal were average to say the least. When we got the numerous amount of set-plays - which is normally where we are so good at breaking the opposition down - and unfortunately that failed us as well."