MARK Viduka is happy to see his strike partnership with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink flourishing, despite the pair playing just two competitive games together in a Middlesbrough shirt.

Viduka missed the first two games of the Premiership season as he was still suspended following a sending off against Bolton towards the end of the last campaign.

His debut came in last week's 2-0 win at Fulham and, with Hasselbaink laying on the opener for the Australian international, the duo could not have wished for a better start to life on Teesside.

Hasselbaink made it three goals in four games with the winner against Crystal Palace last weekend and, while it is still early days in their relationship, Boro's front two already look like a partnership laden with goals.

"We're already combining well and the other players are playing off Jimmy as well," said Viduka, who made a £4.5m move from Leeds United this summer. "Jimmy's world class and he's proved that in every game he's played so far.

"Bolo Zenden on the left and Gaizka Mendieta on the right must enjoy having someone like Jimmy to play with, and I think the two boys in central midfield will feel the same thing too.

"The side is set up to create chances and I'm sure that, with more and more games, we'll just keep getting better and better."

Viduka and Hasselbaink were two of five internationals to move to the Riverside this summer and, with Zenden and Ray Parlour also having extensive top-flight experience, only Michael Reiziger arrived without having tasted Premiership action.

Other clubs have changed personnel in the close season, but most have recruited from abroad.

That can bring benefits in the long-term, but an influx of overseas talent often leads to inconsistencies during an initial settling in period.

"It's good for us that most of the boys have played in the Premiership," said Viduka. "They might not have played there for Middlesbrough, but they know what it's all about.

"Look at the example of (Jose Antonio) Reyes at Arsenal. It took him a while to settle in and it's only now that we're starting to see the best of him.

"Premiership experience helps a lot because you've played against all of the teams before and it's already in your mind.

"That's a good thing, but another important factor here is that we're all desperate to do well. We all want to win something for Middlesbrough."

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