MARK SCHWARZER has given Middlesbrough's hopes of reclaiming the highly-coveted final UEFA Cup place from Tottenham a helping hand by returning to full fitness.

Both sides meet at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday and the result will have a massive bearing on the battle for seventh spot - with Manchester City also waiting in the wings.

Boro's season comes to a close the following weekend at City and to have Aussie international Schwarzer back in the thick of things will be a massive boost to the club, despite Brad Jones' impressive form.

Twenty-three-year-old Jones has been asked to fill the void vacated by his fellow countryman in the past five games and has managed to keep two clean sheets and conceded just three goals.

His displays have put him firmly in manager Steve McClaren's thoughts for the future and he is likely to become the understudy to Schwarzer at the start of next season following the March departure of Carlo Nash to Preston.

And Boro goalkeeper coach Paul Barron said: "We've been absolutely delighted with him. It hasn't been a surprise to those who work with him every day. He's a great lad with a great attitude and he's level-headed."

But McClaren has never hidden his admiration of Schwarzer's talents and he will be relieved to know that his No 1 will be back in the fold for the crucial end of season race for a UEFA Cup place.

The former Bradford goalkeeper is expected to be back in the squad for Saturday's visit of Spurs - who stole a march over Boro in the fight for seventh with a comprehensive win on Sunday over Aston Villa.

Martin Jol's side are level on points with the Teessiders but that 5-1 victory has edged the Londoners in front on goal difference with just two games remaining.

But Boro, after a tricky and testing first few months in 2005, are unbeaten in their last four matches themselves and have began to look more than capable of forcing their way back into the top seven.

It would be majorly disappointing for Boro to miss out on Europe next season after a campaign that had promised so much for so long - particularly in light of reaching the last 16 of the UEFA Cup in their first year of entry.

And McClaren, who has even put back-up plans to enter the Intertoto Cup this summer in place, is hoping to make sure there is a repeat run next time around to ensure more top names arrive in the close-season.

There has been a suggestion experienced Austrian international Rene Aufhauser is one of those being targeted after he impressed against Boro for Grazer AK.

But Fulham have emerged as the frontrunners for the 29-year-old, who has also attracted interest from Champions League chasers Everton.