Jonathan Woodgate yesterday reiterated he has yet to decide whether to turn his year-long loan deal at Middlesbrough into a permanent move, insisting he will only make a decision in the summer.

A fortnight ago Real Madrid revealed a deal had already been struck a nd Woodgate would become a Boro player at the end of the season, but this was again denied by the player.

His colleagues have all eulogised about the talented central defender's merits, with skipper George Boateng hailing his new team-mate as one of the best three central defenders in the country.

"I think John Terry and Rio Ferdinand are the best two (centre backs) in the country and a very good combination, but I don't think Woody is very far away from them," said Boateng.

"The guy is top-class and his professionalism is very good. He comes in early to start doing his warm up and looks after himself."

Boateng revealed Woodgate has grown in stature since arriving from the Bernabeu, with his form persuading the midfielder to predict the cultured centre half will become the club's future skipper should he stay on Teesside.

The Dutchman says he is not giving up the captain's armband just yet, but acknowledged that the on-loan Madrid star would be the perfect choice to succeed him.

"We would love to sign Woodgate," admitted Boateng. "He could be a huge figure for this area and huge personality for this club.

"I think he would be the perfect captain. I am 31 and he is 27 and I can't go on for another ten years. When I signed I did not think I was going to be the captain because of Gareth, but things change."

Manager Gareth Southgate has often said that the former Newcastle and Leeds defender will stop at the club if he believes they can match his ambition. And Boateng insists that he can fulfil all his aspirations on Teesside.

He said: "He has been at one of the best clubs in the world and they have never managed to keep him fit all season. He has been here, and people say Middlesbrough is a small club, but it is a compliment to the backroom staff that they have managed to keep him fit. If we have to work extra hard to keep him fit here that will be good.

"On the positive side it shows he can be here as well as being selected for the national team."

Reading's FA Cup hero Adam Federici, meanwhile, is looking forward to an Aussie reunion with Mark Schwarzer and Mark Viduka in the quarter-finals.

Schwarzer and Viduka have to help Boro overcome West Brom at The Hawthorns, and the Royals have the small matter of beating Manchester United in their replay next Tuesday.

But Federici says he is itching to face his countrymen in the Boro ranks.

Reading isit Middlesbrough in the Premiership this Saturday and regular keeper Marcus Hahnemann will reclaim his place.

But Federici, manager Steve Coppell's FA Cup choice, sees the quarter-finals as his only real chance of facing his compatriots.

He said: ''That would be my ideal choice. It would be an exciting match, playing against two great heroes of Australian football.''

Federici has trained with both players in Australian national get-togethers and added: ''Viduka is a great guy and a typical Aussie.

''He's a very strong and powerful player and if he gets a chance on goal he usually takes it.''

Coppell has tipped Federici, 22, to take over from Schwarzer as Australia's top stopper, despite the fact that he has played just three games for Reading and was on loan at Bristol City earlier this season.

Federici said: ''It's great when your manager says something like that. Steve Coppell has shown a lot of faith in me when I needed someone to give me a chance. I feel like I have come through for him.

''To take over from Mark Schwarzer as Australia's No 1 is one of my biggest goals.

''I want to show people I can play at this level and I think I've done that so far. Hopefully I'll be playing in the Premiership more regularly in the near future.

American Hahnemann has played every Premiership game for Reading this season but Federici said: ''I'm definitely pushing him and giving him something to think about."