FORM might be temporary, but Gareth Southgate knows the class of players like Stewart Downing and Afonso Alves is permanent.

England winger Downing hasn't match the heights he reached last season at times during the early stages of the current campaign, while Brazil international Alves is has found goals difficult to come by.

But Southgate is delighted to see signs that 24-year-old Downing is getting back to his best in recent games, while he says Alves still boasts a decent record as he finds his feet in English football.

"Stewart was excellent in the second half against West Ham and again last week at Villa," said the manager.

"He was outstanding, he had five shots on target, he was getting at his full-back again and he looked much brighter.

"I've said all along this season, class is permanent and that's what we've got with Stewart. We feel if we can get him firing again that can only add to us as a team."

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Alves, 27, has scored three times this season, a free-kick, a penalty and just one goal from open play, and his miss late in the Villa game won't have helped his confidence.

But Southgate sees his quality in training every day and he knows the goals will soon start to flow once again.

He said: "We're pleased that the miss didn't cost us but his record is still something like nine goal in 20 starts for us - that's almost one in two, which is up with the best in the league.

"We all wish he had more goals his season but three is by no means disastrous and there's plenty more to come.

"Last week, like Stewart, he also had five efforts on target."

Meanwhile, Southgate was delighted to see his decision to keep faith with in-form defender Chris Riggott at the expense of David Wheater pay dividends at the former Derby man produced another outstanding performance at the back.

"It's been a tough couple of years for Chris," he said. "He's had more than his fair share of injuries, but when he comes into the team I don't feel he ever lets anyone down and he's in there on merit.

"There's competition for places in the middle of the defence. A lot of people were surprised when I left David out last week but I think Chris deserved to stay in the team.

"He's an experienced player and he's a good communicator and organiser, which is very helpful for a centre-half. Again, I think there's more to come from Chris."