BOUDEWIJN Zenden has hailed Middlesbrough's international 'fringe players' as the main reason behind the injury-hit Teessiders' ability to maintain their chase for a Champions League place.

Despite being plagued by injuries this term, Boro have been able to cement a place in the top six of the Premier League and secure a spot in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup in their first European campaign.

Over the festive period manager Steve McClaren has been able to call upon Cameroon's Joseph Job, Slovakian Szilard Nemeth and Brazilian Doriva as he looked to bolster his depleted first XI.

And their Dutch midfielder has been impressed with the improvements made to McClaren's squad since he arrived from Chelsea initially on loan in August 2003, and highlighted the strength in depth the club now possess.

Despite current injuries to first-teamers including Mark Viduka, George Boateng, Chris Riggott, Ugo Ehiogu and Gaizka Mendieta, and losing Michael Reiziger early on in the campaign, Boro go into the new year in fifth spot.

After stumbling to a 2-0 defeat on Boxing Day at Birmingham City, the Teessiders bounced back with a 2-0 win at home to Norwich - thanks to a double from Viduka's replacement Job

Zenden said: "The fringe players this season have done so well and perhaps they have been the difference as we have such a better squad of players.

"Joseph comes on and scores twice and people forget he is a regular Cameroon international. Szilard Nemeth has done well in recent weeks and he is a Slovakia international.

"All these players know what it is like to play at the top end of the game and it shows in their performances.

"Our squad is so much stronger than even when I came a year ago because we have players who can fit in whenever they are required. To have full internationals coming into the side is where we have improved."

With Mendieta expected to be out for the season and Boateng not back until March, McClaren expects to bring in at least two new faces during next month's transfer window, and Portsmouth's Senegal midfielder Amdy Faye is among his targets. Middlesbrough have also been linked with January swoops for Inter Milan's Dutch winger Andy van der Meyde and Herman Hreidarsson of Charlton Athletic.

Until then, however, Boro will persevere with the players at their disposal and Zenden has been impressed with the way the club have coped.

Next up is a mouth-watering clash on Saturday with Champions League rivals Manchester United.

"We have been suffering from injuries so much this season which makes our league position all the more impressive," said Zenden.

"We lost a bunch of players at the start of the season and we have lost another load now, but we are hanging in there for what is an absolutely crucial part of the season.

"We have Manchester United, Chelsea and Everton up next, all teams above us in the league, and this is why we had to beat Norwich, to go into those three vital league games full of confidence.

"We have so many players out injured but we cannot let that affect us as we have beaten all the top sides in the country in the last few seasons and so we must go into those games with absolutely no fear.

"On our day we can beat anyone in the league as we have shown.

"We have a few tough games back to back and the New Year period is so important. They are games you always look forward to but you have to get them out of the way and try and pick up a few points even against the best teams.

"Each time you play the top teams it is different. We have beaten Manchester United but they can't stop winning at the moment and they must be full of confidence. It is going to be a real test for us but they are coming here knowing Boro is not an easy nut to crack these days."

The injury list and the impact of Stewart Downing on the left of Boro's midfield has seen Zenden switch inside - a position the Holland international is relishing.

He said: "My own game is going well in the middle and I am really enjoying it.

"Stewart Downing has flourished and that is so important for the team - to have that width which all the best sides can use.

"We will obviously miss George Boateng but with Doriva or Ray Parlour we are still getting better and better."

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