STEVE McCLAREN jetted off with the England squad for the controversial tour of the United States last night, but the Middlesbrough boss didn't leave until he moved closer to pledging his future to the Riverside cause.

Since taking over from Bryan Robson four years ago McClaren has guided Boro to a first major trophy, overseen the club's inaugural UEFA Cup push and secured a record seventh placed finish in the Premiership this season.

The contract he signed when he first took the reins is due to expire in 13 months time, and talks about extending his stay on Teesside are at an advanced stage.

Boro chief executive Keith Lamb has confirmed that nothing will be signed until well after the national team return next week, but is confident an agreement can be reached.

"We are all optimistic about the negotiations. They are going very well. I don't see a problem in the long-term. We are just putting the finishing touches to it," said Lamb, working on attracting a number of McClaren's transfer targets to the North-East in his absence.

McClaren is seen as heir apparent to Sven-Goran Eriksson - with suggestions the Swede will quit his England role after next summer's World Cup in Germany.

But Boro believe having their manager mentioned with the country's top job is a blessing rather than a hindrance.

"If you are successful then inevitably people will want your manager or your players," said Lamb. "I have no problem with picking up the papers every day and seeing that Stewart Downing is going to Manchester United, Real Madrid or Juventus.

"What we have to do is create an environment at this club that is so attractive from a career perspective that no-one wants to go. Why would you want to leave Middelsbrough to go to any other club? We can give everyone anything they want in terms of job satisfaction.

"It doesn't worry me that people get constantly mentioned. I don't anticipate Steve McClaren walking away.

"We have said all along that Steve McClaren's involvement with England is an advantage and it continues to be so. To walk out of the doors at this training ground (Rockliffe Park) and see a different perspective on things helps. We don't see any reason to change it."

And, while Boro continue to back the manager's involvement as Eriksson's assistant, they insist that they are not fretting about the prospect of the manager leaving to further his ambitions.

McClaren has never chosen to hide his desire to coach at the highest level and, as well as England, he has been touted as a future boss at Manchester United when Sir Alex Ferguson calls it a day.

But Lamb reiterated his belief that life would go on at Boro if McClaren did depart for pastures new and Boro would try to maintain their push for year on year growth - just as it would if anyone at the club left.

"We don't envisage anyone leaving. What we want is to bring better players in and win trophies. We don't want a mass exodus if Steve McClaren left or Steve Gibson left. I don't see that at all," said Lamb.

"What's important for players is that the club is ambitious. The manager is an integral part of that. People come to Middlesbrough Football Club because of Middlesbrough Football Club, not because of Steve McClaren, Steve Gibson or Keith Lamb.

"We all have a part of play in getting them here but none of us are irreplaceable. We have to create an environment where no-one wants to leave this club."

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