STEVE McClaren is ready to end months of speculation over his future by shaking hands on a new contract when he meets Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson tomorrow.

Despite Sven-Goran Eriksson identifying him as his likely successor last week, the Boro boss will not be demanding an England get-out clause before he commits himself to the Riverside.

McClaren's future has been the subject of some discussion this season, with an early round of talks failing to achieve consensus over a new deal.

The next meeting is scheduled for tomorrow and, after steering Middlesbrough into the UEFA Cup for the second season in succession, the 44-year-old is hopeful of a successful conclusion.

"There's a willingness on both sides to extend the current contract because it only has a year to run," said McClaren, who is currently putting the finishing touches to Boro's pre-season plans.

"We spoke about it in January, we spoke about it in March and, more seriously, we spoke about it again a couple of weeks ago.

"We had another chat on Monday and we're speaking again at the end of this week. Negotiations are ongoing and I expect things to move forward on Friday."

McClaren's current deal expires at the end of next season, just weeks before he is due to join Eriksson in Germany should England qualify for the World Cup.

That tournament is likely to represent the Swede's swansong and, after partnering him in the dug-out for the vast majority of his reign, McClaren is expected to be named as his successor when he vacates his post.

Gibson urged Eriksson to keep his thoughts to himself after he suggested that an Englishman should take his place, raising fears that his own talks with McClaren were running into trouble.

But, after confirming that he was hopeful of concluding discussions with his chairman tomorrow, McClaren dismissed suggestions that his international ambitions were proving a stumbling block.

"Sven has never actually mentioned my name as his successor," he said. "People speculate because I'm close to him and the England team, so who is in a better position at the present moment to do it?

"But the word 'England' will not appear in my contract, not at all. I would never negotiate a contract with a get-out clause. I don't think it's necessary.

"It's flattering to be linked because I must be doing something right but I've said all along, it's not driven by myself, Sven or this club.

"The most important thing I have to do is be successful here. One bad season and you're out of the reckoning. The pressure is on for me achieving here."

McClaren has also been linked with other club jobs in the past and the former Manchester United assistant remains one of the front-runners to replace Sir Alex Ferguson when he finally stands aside at Old Trafford.

His managerial stock has undeniably risen since he arrived at the Riverside in June 2001 and, along with David Moyes and Alan Curbishley, he is at the vanguard of the next generation of British bosses.

But, while Middlesbrough's rivals might increasingly view him as the finished article, McClaren insists he is still learning his trade.

He might have made history by ending Boro's 128-year wait for a major trophy and followed that up by becoming the first manager to guide the club into Europe courtesy of its league position.

Yet he claims the best is still to come and insists he has no intention of leaving Teesside before he has reaped the full reward of his labours.

"This is starting to feel like my club," said McClaren. "It's getting better each year. I have been in management four years so it's still very early for me. I'm still learning, still improving, still tweaking my philosophy.

"It's ever evolving, ever changing and I'm at the best club to do that. I have absolutely no regrets coming here.

"The chairman has allowed me the freedom to make mistakes, to get things wrong. He has been patient with me.

"I feel comfortable at this club. People talked about my ambition. They were false in thinking it lies with England or another club. They said my only ambition was to be somewhere else. They got that totally wrong.

"When I came here as manager, I was not looking at any other job. My only ambition was to do well at Middlesbrough because, if I didn't, I'd be another also-ran who'd disappear out of the game very quickly."

* Australia boss Frank Farina is hoping Mark Viduka will be fit enough to play in next month's Confederations Cup.

The Middlesbrough striker has been sidelined since the turn of the year because of a combination of back and hamstring problems.

He is currently rehabilitating in Australia and is due to link up with the rest of the Australian squad at the start of next month.

But, while it was originally thought he would only be available to train during the Confederations Cup in Germany, Farina said: "I spoke to Mark about ten days ago and he was coming along really well. Time is obviously a problem but he's in the squad, definitely."

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