JAMES MORRISON missed out on a first Under-21s cap at the Riverside Stadium last night but the Middlesbrough youngster's heartache has made his determination to succeed even stronger.

The Boro midfielder has not played since February 24 after surgery on a double hernia problem that blighted an otherwise incredible first season in professional first-team football.

Morrison's form on the right of the Teessiders' attacking plays had led to recognition from Under-21s coach Peter Taylor, who was expected to hand the 18-year-old a call-up for March's two European Championships qualifying games.

But, after missing Friday's draw with Germany, he was also absent from the squad to face Azerbaijan in front of his own fans last night after failing to recover from the injury that will rule him out for at least another two weeks.

However, with four matches still remaining in Group Six, Morrison has not been deterred and wants to force his way back into Taylor's reckoning ahead of their next match with Wales on September 2.

"I was taken by surprise by how quickly things turned out for me at Middlesbrough and I suppose they have gone quicker than expected," said Morrison, whose club-mates Tony McMahon and Ross Turnbull would also have been in last night's squad had they not also been injured.

"It's been my aim for a while now to force my way into the Under-21s and I would love to have played at the Riverside. Things have been great for me this season and to get into the Under-21s is the next step for me.

"Hopefully I can get back into the Middlesbrough team soon and help us get that European spot. Then we'll take it from there."

Morrison is already being tipped to follow Boro colleague Stewart Downing onto the senior international stage.

Downing has been in Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad for the two World Cup qualifiers with Northern Ireland and Azerbaijan despite being just 20.

But Morrison, who has represented his country at Under 19s and 17s level, said: "I would love to break into that squad in the future but my first step has to be getting into the Under-21s on a regular basis.

"Stewart has been doing fantastic and deserved his England call up. I know I have to keep improving and working hard for Middlesbrough and hopefully Under-21s appearances will come along."

Meanwhile, Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric has told striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu to forget about a summer move to Boro and help his club to Premiership survival.

Mandaric has already talked about the Nigerian's proposed £8m switch to Teesside, but now the Pompey chief has urged the player to focus on the job in hand.

Yakubu's 14 goals this season have alerted a posse of clubs - including Newcastle - but Boro boss Steve McClaren has stolen a march on his rivals by opening talks.

But Mandaric urged: "He looks unsettled and all this talk about a move is not helping him or us.

''It is not Yakubu's agent who is causing the problems but an outside influence who is working for other parties and is destabilising everyone concerned.

"We all know Yakubu is a tremendous lad but it seems his head is being turned by certain people and he is not handling it well.

"Of course there is interest in the player, but the only thing Yakubu should be concentrating on is our final eight games."

* Chelsea put the finishing touches to their defence yesterday as they prepared for tomorrow's disciplinary hearing at UEFA's headquarters in Switzerland.

Chelsea had until 5pm to defend their position over accusations that they lied over the Anders Frisk controversy.

Mourinho, his assistant Steve Clarke and security officer Les Miles face a UEFA disciplinary hearing tomorrow into their claims that referee Frisk met with Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard during the half-time break of Chelsea's stormy Champions League first leg clash at the Nou Camp.