MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren's name was one of those at the forefront of Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd's mind as he searched for the new manager at St James' Park.

But, with the unveiling of Graeme Souness on Tyneside due on Monday, McClaren can now focus on the job in hand at the Magpies' North-East rivals.

And the Boro manager, claiming no contact was ever made between himself and Shepherd, last night insisted the link with the Newcastle post only acted as proof that he is performing well at the Riverside.

Bolton's Sam Allardyce revealed earlier this week the Trotters board had turned down an approach from Newcastle to take him north.

While Birmingham's Steve Bruce was also high on Shepherd's wanted list, but a large compensation package was always going to have to be agreed.

David O'Leary and McClaren were two others continually talked about for the position along with Terry Venables and Alan Shearer.

And the Boro boss, who goes head-to-head with Blues boss Bruce this afternoon, is now hoping to carry on the good work he has started on Teesside by picking up the three points that could take them third.

"My job is here and I'm concentrating on that. We have so much to look forward to here," said McClaren, who was the first Boro boss to bring some silverware back to the industrial town in February.

"When jobs come up people look around and because Steve Bruce has done well, Sam Allardyce has done well and so on, they're the managers that are going to be linked. It's nice to be mentioned because it means you are doing a good job for the club you are at. It's a backhanded compliment."

McClaren lost out to Bruce in the battle to sign England striker Emile Heskey in the summer. Heskey swapped Anfield for St Andrews in a £6.25m deal and had previously turned down the chance to sign for Boro in January.

But McClaren, who has since cushioned the blow by signing Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Mark Viduka, remains a fan of the former Leicester man.

And the Boro manager is backing Heskey to bounce back into the England fold having been omitted from the squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Austria and Poland.

"In January we were looking for a presence up front. More of a physical presence and we went for Emile," said Sven-Goran Eriksson's assistant. "But he just decided he wanted to stay and fight for his place at Liverpool.

"I think he has a chance for England. He has contributed when he's been involved. He's never let England down. Emile's game often takes the pressure off the other strikers. He has no point to prove to me."

McClaren will be without Spaniard Gaizka Mendieta against Birmingham this afternoon after struggling with a calf injury. But Mendieta is expected to be back in contention for Thursday's ground-breaking UEFA Cup tie against Czech Republic champions Banik Ostrava.

However, the unavailability of the right-midfielder will give Slovakian Szilard Nemeth the chance to shine from the start on the wing - having impressed as a substitute in each of his last two appearances.

McClaren said: "Szil has been a big plus for us. He's a striker and we know what he can do up there. But he has come on in that wide right position and has shown some good things."

Birmingham are yet to win away so far - having drawn one and lost one of their opening two Premiership fixtures on their travels - whereas Boro have not tasted defeat at the Riverside.

McClaren has chosen today to include young striker Danny Graham, who scored two goals for Darlington last season on loan, in his squad for the first time along with attacking midfielder James Morrison.

* Blues boss Bruce has hailed Emile Heskey as "our best performer this season"' as the striker looks to convince Sven-Goran Eriksson he can still do a job for England.

Eriksson rang Bruce to assure the Blues chief that the former Liverpool player was still part of his plans, although Jermain Defoe looks to have rubber-stamped his place in the squad with a fine goal and performance against the Poles.

But Bruce is delighted with the performances produced by Heskey since his £6.25m summer switch from Anfield and believes he can force his way back into the international spotlight.

Bruce said: "Sven did ring me and said that Emile had been around the team for five years and he wanted to give Alan smith and Jermain Defoe their chance.

"He thought it would be best if Emile was left behind but he reiterated to me that he is still very much part of his plans.

"If someone comes along like Defoe and takes his chance, then so be it. It happens in football and the new kid on the block is Defoe.

''Someone came along to replace Alan Shearer and people have made their mark like Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney.

"That is life and I am sure Emile has got the personality to accept that."

Bruce will weigh up whether to include striker Mikael Forssell after he arrived back late on Thursday with barely any sleep after playing for Finland in Armenia.

That could open the door to either Clinton Morrison or new signing Dwight Yorke.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.