MARK Schwarzer last night highlighted Middlesbrough's "ambition" as the primary factor in his decision to sign a new three-year deal with the club.

Months of intense negotiation finally came to an end yesterday when the Australian international agreed to commit himself to the Riverside until 2008.

Schwarzer has made 305 appearances for Boro since a £1.5m move from Bradford in Feburary 1997, but looked like leaving Teesside when he turned down the club's offer of a new deal last November.

With his contract due to expire in May, the 32-year-old had been free to talk to potential suitors this month.

Arsenal and Manchester United were both linked with a possible swoop but, instead, further talks with the Middlesbrough board had a positive conclusion.

Earlier this month, Schwarzer was talking of assessing "every available option" but, after committing his future to the club, the goalkeeper insists he was always hopeful of extending his stay in the North-East.

"The club has shown that it is ambitious and I want to continue to be a part of that," said Schwarzer, who will be due a testimonial for ten years' service before the end of his new deal.

"There has been a lot of speculation recently about whether I would stay on Teesside, with the possibility that I could transfer or sign a pre-contract with another club. But I can confirm that I will be staying in the North-East beyond this summer.

"I've had eight great seasons at the club, including a League Cup winners' medal last February and now a good run in the UEFA Cup.

"The team spirit in the current squad is unique. It makes going to work every day a pleasure and is a contributing factor in my staying."

Steve McClaren has never hidden his desire to keep Schwarzer beyond the end of the current campaign.

The Boro boss regards the Australian as one of the best stoppers in the Premiership and, after finally tying up the new deal, he underlined just how important Schwarzer is to maintaining the progress Boro have made over the last 12 months.

"It's great news because it means we know we have a first-class goalkeeper in place for the next few seasons," said McClaren.

It wasn't all good news for McClaren yesterday, with Ugo Ehiogu possibly ruled out for the rest of the season. Ehiogu, who has started just three league games this term, hobbled out of Sunday's 1-1 draw with Everton after suffering a recurrence of his long-standing knee problem.

A scan has shown medial ligament damage and the England international will now spend the next six weeks with his knee in a brace. A further assessment will be made after that.

With Chris Riggott out for a further fortnight, and both Michael Reiziger and Stuart Parnaby struggling to be fit for this weekend's trip to Norwich, Colin Cooper will continue alongside Gareth Southgate at Carrow Road.

* Bolton and Hearts are chasing Middlesbrough striker Danny Graham.

The 19-year-old Tynesider is out of contract in the summer and in line for a new two-year deal with Boro. But his prolific form in the reserves has prompted interest from north and south of the border.

* Boro are preparing to offer a trial to Swedish youngster Jonas Cumselius. The 16-year-old is expected to arrive on Teesside next week.

* Middlesbrough yesterday issued ticket and travel details for the club's UEFA Cup third-round tie away to Austrian champions Graz AK on Thursday, February 17. Boro have received an allocation of 1,200 tickets for the first-leg tie at the Arnold Schwarzenegger Stadium, priced at £24 each. A further allocation of tickets is available if demand is high. All applications must be made using forms that are available to collect from the MFC retail stores or stadium reception. The form can also be downloaded from the club's official website.

* Fulham avoided becoming another of Watford's high-profile victims when Moritz Volz and Tomasz Radzinski pounced in each half to register a routine victory in last night's FA Cup third-round replay.

Victories over Portsmouth and Southampton in the Carling Cup have seen Watford capture plenty of headlines but they were unable to produce another of their giant-killing acts at Craven Cottage.

The Championship club - who had performed heroics when the sides met at Vicarage Road 12 days ago - failed to create a clear goalscoring opportunity all match and were comprehensively outclassed.

Fulham are now on a five-match unbeaten run - their longest stretch without defeat since manager Chris Coleman took charge in April 2003 - to give further indication the misery which wrecked the first half their season is over.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.