STUART PARNABY has revealed how Middlesbrough's walking wounded are being teased and tormented by the fit members of the squad in an attempt to help the club claim a second successive season in European competition.

After months of injury woe, Boro's hopes of enjoying a break from bad luck on the injury front for the final run-in were ruined again this week when it emerged three internationals are facing time on the sidelines.

Striker Mark Viduka, whose return to the first team lasted just 11 minutes last Saturday, will not play again this season after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring and back problem.

Fellow forward Joseph Job and attacking midfielder Bolo Zenden are also ruled out for at least three weeks with knee and ankle ligament damage respectively.

The setbacks are just the latest Boro have had to deal with this season - including long-term lay-offs for Gaizka Mendieta and Ugo Ehiogu.

Parnaby, who missed three months with a broken leg in the latter stages of 2004, has admitted that sharing jokes with his unfortunate team-mates has helped Boro keep focused.

"You can't afford to think about the problems we have been getting. You just take the mick a bit with the players who are injured. It helps to keep spirits up and you just have to get on with it," said Parnaby.

"It's been the story of our season. Once we have got everyone fit we have shown what we can do. I don't see any reason why we can't finish sixth anyway.

"This club hasn't seen an injury list like it. But we have done OK so far considering the situation we have been in."

Boro face Arsenal at the Riverside tomorrow in the first of three home games for Steve McClaren's side, with Fulham and West Brom to follow.

It is a run of fixtures that can seriously strengthen the club's target of finishing in the top six and earning a UEFA Cup place, something they are keen to do after reaching the last 16 of the competition this time around.

Parnaby insists, even without so many first-teamers, it is possible but believes it will not be until next season that everyone sees the real Boro stand up.

"We showed at the start of the campaign how good we can be when all the players are available," he said. "When everyone is settled in and the likes of Mendieta are back there's no reason why we can't push on and improve.

"The lads playing week in and week out finally got a rest recently and it showed in the way we have been training, and it showed when we won at Crytal Palace. We are feeling the benefits of those few days off."

Arsenal arrive on Teesside tomorrow aware that Boro's only home defeats in the Premiership this season have been to Chelsea and Manchester United.

But, despite being wary of the threat of Thierry Henry, Parnaby is relishing the challenge.

"We always put in good displays against the top teams," said the 22-year-old, who came on as a substitute in August's memorable 5-3 defeat at Highbury.

"A lot of Arsenal's play is from the left side and that is my side so it should be good. Robert Pires, Ashley Cole and Henry are just three of the type of quality I'll be up against. But that's why you play in this league. It's something to look forward to."

Meanwhile, Boro's England winger Stewart Downing insists he is in no rush to leave his hometown club.

Downing has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Ryan Giggs at Manchester United, with a summer move suggested.

But the 20-year-old claims he is more than happy on Teesside, although a big money switch could be out of his hands.

Asked whether he would like to move to Old Trafford, he said: "No, not really, I would like to stay at this club.

" If they ever wanted to sell me then I'd have to go. But I'd stay here forever."

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