Boro captain Gareth Southgate yesterday made clear it would be almost impossible to stamp the gambling culture out of the game.

It led to Southgate suggesting the onus was on club managers and England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson to ensure the gambling bug did not grow to the extent it had damaging repercussions on players.

England number two McClaren, heavily favoured to succeed Eriksson at the end of the World Cup, believes he and his staff at Boro do everything in their power to educate players

“I’ve read the stories and I’ve heard about it,” said McClaren. “The amounts reported are pure speculation. Nobody has said they are the facts, and until they come out you can’t really comment.

“But everybody plays cards, it’s a natural thing to do in football.

“Everybody likes to go to the races, and they have their own past-times to kill time. It’s always been there.

“Obviously, lifestyle is very important. It’s one thing we stress to our young academy players, to be professional both on and off the field, and lifestyle is a part of that.

“There are many, many trappings out there and we try to guard our young players against that, give them the education, counselling and advice.

“We tell them to keep away from the things that could stop them realising their potential. That’s something we believe in greatly.

“As far as I’m concerned we go down the right route at this club.”

McClaren, meanwhile, has again played down stories linking him with the forthcoming England post and suggestions he has been interviewed for a second time by the Football Association.

“I haven’t got a clue,” asserted McClaren, ahead of tomorrow night’s FA Cup quarter-final replay with Charlton, and with his side in the last four of the UEFA Cup.

“There have been stories for the last couple of months, and there are going to be stories until a decision is made.

“My focus and sole intention – and I mean this genuinely and no-one should ever doubt it – is to bring success here and to bring the fans another trophy.

“We’re close. It’s a big few weeks ahead, and I can’t focus on anything else because I look ahead and I just see fixture after fixture.

“That’s the only thing on my mind.”