But Premier League rules mean he can only remain in charge for 12 weeks from the start of the league season unless he receives special dispensation to continue.

That period will be up on November 11, the day Boro entertain West Ham at the Riverside Stadium, and talks are continuing as the club, league bosses and the Football Association attempt to find a solution.

A Premier League spokesman told PA Sport: “We are still in discussions involving ourselves, the FA and Middlesbrough examining how best we can resolve this situation.”

Boro chairman Steve Gibson and chief executive Keith Lamb both argued at the time of Southgate’s appointment that there were extenuating circumstances.

There is a precedent, of course, after Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd won the backing of his counterparts to allow Glenn Roeder to take over permanently from Graeme Souness during the summer.

Roeder had been enrolled on the Pro-Licence course during his time at West Ham when he was struck down by a brain tumour in 2003.

Southgate’s situation is different, having only retired as a player when he was offered the job at the Riverside Stadium.

Boro’s argument is that because he was playing right up until his appointment and had been heavily involved with England – he won 57 caps – he had little chance to gain his coaching qualifications, something he is currently trying to do.

In addition, the Teessiders believe their decision to release McClaren from his contract to allow him to replace Sven-Goran Eriksson as England manager should also be taken into consideration.

The League Managers’ Association (LMA), which opposed Newcastle’s ultimately successful bid to install Roeder, has repeatedly reiterated its belief that the rules should be adhered to.

Chief executive John Barnwell became embroiled in a war of words with Shepherd after claiming his move would open the door to “the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker”.

But by the time Southgate was appointed, the LMA, while maintaining its stance, admitted the decision was down to the Premier League and the FA.

Meanwhile, Boro defender Jonathan Woodgate was today continuing treatment for a thigh injury which could keep him out of Saturday’s Premiership clash with Everton.

However, it is understood the problem is an impact injury he sustained in training last week and is not thought to be anything more serious.

Southgate said: “He took a kick in training last week and it stiffened up.

“He is having treatment and is a doubt for Saturday, but we are not looking any further than that at the moment.”

Woodgate has been in fine form for his home-town club since completing a one-year loan move from Real Madrid in August.

However, his injury history – he has managed only 14 appearances in two years in Spain – mean every strain and ache is examined in minute detail.

He arrived at the Bernabeu still battling against a torn thigh muscle suffered during his time at Newcastle, who provide the opposition for Boro eight days after the clash with Everton.

Should Woodgate not make Saturday’s game, £6m (€8.8m) signing Robert Huth is close to a Premiership debut for his new club after his recovery from ankle surgery, while Austria international Emanuel Pogatetz has been in fine form and youngster Matthew Bates is also available.