BOLO Zenden dropped a bombshell on Middlesbrough's preparations ahead of today's Premier League clash at Crystal Palace by admitting he will leave the club at the end of the season if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.

The Boro midfielder yesterday insisted not playing in Europe's premier competition has harmed his international ambitions.

Zenden claims he was a regular for his country when he played Champions League football for Barcelona. But since he left the Catalan club - in a £7m transfer nearly four years ago - the Maastricht-born midfielder has played only UEFA Cup football for both Chelsea and Middlesbrough.

The 28-year-old has gone from a first choice regular in the Holland team to being a squad player.

"It's important for me to be playing in Europe," said Zenden. I enjoy being at Boro but need to be playing at the top level.

"It's disappointing I've not played much for the national team recently. Perhaps I need to be playing in the Champions League to change the coach's mind."

Zenden's comments will be a blow to manager Steve McClaren's rebuilding plans as he is keen he was to keep the popular Dutchman on Teesside.

McClaren said: "We spoke about his contract in January and he'll take his time over his decision.

"I want Bolo to be a big part in our future. He has been a major part of it so far."

Palace boss Iain Dowie wants Selhurst Park turned into a fortress to help keep his side in the Barclays Premiership.

The Eagles slipped back into the bottom three before the international break, as relegation rivals Southampton and West Brom both picked up crucial victories.

However, Dowie's men held Manchester United to a goalless draw in their last home game on March 5, and have won three of their previous five matches at Selhurst Park.

Dowie knows more impressive performances on their own turf could rescue his side from trouble.

Norwich, currently bottom, and the Saints also have to visit Selhurst Park before the end of the campaign.

Dowie declared: ''Thirty eight points would be ideal. But it's forever changing so you can't say how many points you will need.

''West Brom had two great wins and that changed things, but what we must do is concentrate on our own job and the next three points.

''Anyone would say you have to win your home games at this stage of the season."

Dowie is continuing in his attempts to persuade winger Wayne Routledge to stay beyond the end of the season.

The England Under-21 international, who has turned down the offer of a new, lucrative long-term deal, has attracted interest from Tottenham, who had a £3m bid rejected. But Dowie is still hopeful Routledge, 19, will stay.

''Wayne's an emerging talent and played for the under-21s on Wednesday night. He's a player we are trying to convince to stay."

Read more about Middlesbrough here.