STEVE McCLAREN last night told interested clubs to forget about attempting to prise Mark Schwarzer away from Middlesbrough during the transfer window.

The Australian's contract dispute at the Riverside Stadium has alerted both Manchester United and Arsenal, and there is a chance he could leave on a free transfer in the summer.

Middlesbrough claim negotiations with Schwarzer have been 'on-going' for a number of months, with the player's deal due to expire at the end of the season.

There has been a suggestion Boro, preparing to host United tomorrow, would be willing to listen to offers in January but that was instantly dismissed by McClaren yesterday.

The Middlesbrough boss is well aware that the situation is far from ideal, but he remains confident that the two parties can come to an agreement over the coming months.

Schwarzer's form between the posts has been a major factor in the Teesside outfit's rise to fifth in the Premiership and into the last 32 of the UEFA Cup this season.

McClaren, who has enlisted Norwich's Robert Green as a possible replacement if the SocceRoo star leaves, claims he has no intentions of allowing Schwarzer to move on, especially as early as next month.

"There has been no indication from Mark that he wants to leave and that's what we have got to work on," said McClaren, well aware that his No 1 has already rejected a contract offer.

"We are working very hard behind the scenes because he want him to stay here.

"Stories of him leaving are just football business and part and parcel of the game.

"Mark has dealt with all the talk very well and as long as it does not distract him from his game then we are pleased. We want to get the contract sorted out as quickly as possible.

"I have not even thought about Mark leaving and we certainly have no intentions of losing him in January."

Along with Schwarzer, McClaren is hoping to keep the rest of the Middlesbrough squad together by resisting any offers he may have for some of his players.

But, after a series of injuries depleted his paying staff, the former Manchester United No 2 has made no secret of his desire to bolster numbers by attracting a couple of new faces to the North-East.

As well as finding competition for left-back Franck Queudrue, with Newcastle's Olivier Bernard a strong possibility following the Magpies' capture of Celestine Babayaro, McClaren is also looking to draft in a versatile midfielder.

Middlesbrough's need for a new middle man has been made more urgent after combatant George Boateng was ruled out for over a month with a broken toe. Portsmouth's Amdy Faye was the latest name to be mentioned as a possibility this week.

McClaren, who is likely to swoop for loan signings initially, knows the areas he wants to strengthen but insists more injuries could suddenly mean a change of approach.

He said: "Three weeks ago I didn't want a new centre midfielder but with George out we are short in that area.

"With Gaizka Mendieta out for the season we always knew we were one short in midfield, now we could be a couple. I do feel the midfield and left-back are what we have to look at.

"But the right type of player has to be available and I need to know they won't upset the atmosphere here. It's the loan option again for a lot of clubs and we are no different."

Certain managers have voiced their frustrations at being unable to make moves in the transfer market all the year round.

But McClaren believes the introduction of the window has benefited the game. "You now know that when you get your squad that is what you have to work with," said McClaren.

"It has also means that when we have injuries we are giving chances to youngsters and that may not have been the case before. Every manager will be busy this January."

l The winner of our Middlesbrough ticket competition for two tickets to Saturday's game with Manchester United was Linda Sanderson of Darlington. Thanks to all those who entered.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.