Woodgate and Ehiogu - well-matched defenders.

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INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCE

Jonathan Woodgate was a mere 19 years old and completed less than one full season in the Leeds first team when he was chosen for his England debut in the European Championship qualifier in Bulgaria.

Woodgate looked assured for just over an hour in Sofia fitting neatly into Kevin Keegan's back three alongside the more experienced Sol Campbell and Gareth Southgate.

He was withdrawn in favour of midfielder Ray Parlour as England restructured to a more attacking mode to go for the winner.

Unfortunately it proved to be his only England cap until the present day as injuries and off-field problems conspired to blight his international career.

His prolonged court case over an alleged assualt led to an FA directive to exclude him from any Sven-Goran Eriksson.

And his subsequent community service punishment has extended that ban leaving him with little time to impress Eriksson except by outstanding performances for Leeds.

He may have looked exceedingly comfortable on his England debut but nearly three years have elapsed since and Eriksson will need to be won over.

Though seven years older, Ugo Ehiogu has only amassed two more caps than Woodgate before this World Cup build-up.

Signed by Aston Villa from neighbours West Brom in 1991, the reliable stopper .

After impressing over several seasons at Villa Park, he was drafted by Terry Venables into the ill-fated England tour of the Far East prior to the 1996 European Championships appearing as a sub in the 3-0 victory over China in Beijing.

Was ignored by both Glenn Hoddle and Kevin Keegan for England squads for the next four years until getting the call from Eriksson for last February's friendly with Spain at Villa Park.

Again a sub, he came on to great effect heading home for his first international goal in the 3-0 victory and was a replacement yet again, for Arsenal's Martin Keown, in last summer's friendly with Holland at White Hart Lane.

Has not let England down so far and has even managed more goals for hiss country than several highly-touted strikers.

But has still yet to start a match and is still something of a dark horse who will struggle to make the final squad unless he gets 90 minutes to show what he can do.

Woodgate 8/10, Ehiogu 7/10.

FORM THIS SEASON

Woodgate spent nearly eight months out of the Leeds team last season with injuries and court proceedings affecting his form and has been slow to reproduce his best displays this term.

Woodgate found that Leeds had signed £18m Rio Ferdinand during his problem period, who then went to form a strong central defensive partnership with Dominic Matteo after Woodgate came through the yout ranks to partner South African skipper Lucas Radebe.

With Radebe another long-term Elland Road casualty, Woodgate rejoined the Leeds line-up for the 3-0 win at Bolton alongside England colleague Ferdinand with Matteo moving to left-back.

Helped keep a clean sheet also in the next two Premiership matches but lost Ferdinand early in the dramatic FA Cup tie defeat at Cardiff when he had to play alongside Michael Duberry, who had been a witness against him the long-running court case.

Leeds have struggled since that day, losing the lead in the Premiership after a six-match winless run and Woodgate himself succumbed to molre injury troubles.

Still yet to prove he is the player he was two years ago but will undoubtedly improve if he can concentrate on playing football.

Ehiogu progress was stifled last season by a protracted row with Aston Villa over the ambition of the club.

Ehiogu eventually joined Villa Park defensive partner Gareth Southgate in making a big-money move to Middlesbrough.

But while the Midlanders have been a top eight side for the whole of the season - even topping the table in the autumn - Boro have slid into another relegation battle.

Ehiogu was sent off in his first League match of the season as Arsenal won 4-0 at the Riverside Stadium.

Ehiogu has continued his fine understanding at the back with Southgate and has helped Middlesbrough to at least have a solid defence even though they are shot-shy in attack.

Woodgate 7/10, Ehiogu 8/10

PACE

Not really a great deal to choose between the two players although Ehiogu often uses his speed more to block out attacks.

Woodgate often tries to position himself to foil the forward but is no slouch in a sprint for a loose ball.

Woodgate 8/10, Ehiogu 8/10.

DISTRIBUTION

Though neither player fits the Beckenbauer mould of footballing central defender, both like to pass the ball out from the back given time.

Woodgate often shows commendable control and calmness under pressure and looked quite at home in his international debut when patience and perception are required away from the hurly-burly of the Premiership.

Ehiogu is more of a robsut stopper, using pace and strength to deprive the opponent of the ball and playing it simple when in possession.

Woodgate 8/10, Ehiogu 7/10.

AERIAL ABILITY

With both men standing over six foot tall it is no surprise they are dominant in the air.

Ehiogu relishes the hurly-burly of aerial combat with the likes of Niall Quinn as does Woodgate.

But the Leeds man looks much slighter than his rival and can sometimes give the impression that he is to easily beaten by more powerful strikers.

Both are also dangers in the air at the other end of the field, particularly from set-pieces.

Woodgate 7/10, Ehiogu 8/10.

TOTALS: Woodgate 38, Ehiogu 39.

Sportinglife.com verdict:

A closely-matched pair though the FA's deliberations may prove to be crucial in deciding who goes to the World Cup.

At the moment, Woodgate is still serving an international suspension for his off-field behaviour.

And the Lancaster Gate may want to see a spotless record in his character before Eriksson is given the nod to bring him back into the fold.

At the moment, Eriksson will simply settle for a string of performances compaable with club-mate Rio Ferdinand to prove that Woodgate has not been held up by his recent personal problems.

Ehiogu, like Chris Powell and Trevor Sinclair, had obviously caught Eriksson's eye as the Swede drafted him into the squad after he had been blatantly ignored by his predecessors.

Eriksson had seen something in Ehiogu's play that showed he could be a serious contender for this summer's squad though he still has not earned a starting place yet.

There is a feeling that Ehiogu would get the nod at this stage for his consistency unless Woodgate enjoys a magical climax to the season.