STEVE McCLAREN will face the biggest decision of his short managerial career if England decide to ditch Sven-Goran Eriksson tomorrow.

Middlesbrough are ready to do battle with the powers-that-be at the Football Association, who have already earmarked the Boro boss as his replacement.

Eriksson received the backing of acting FA chief executive David Davies earlier this week - seen as a clear sign that the twin resignations of former chief executive, Mark Palios, and director of communications Colin Gibson, have strengthened his position.

But McClaren has many friends at Soho Square - many more than Eriksson - and tops the short-list should the England head coach's position be deemed untenable at tomorrow's much-publicised FA board meeting.

Despite 43-year-old McClaren reiterating his commitment to the Boro cause, if England come calling it would be hard for any manager to resist.

And McClaren would be a popular choice with many of the senior players, having worked with them as England No 2 for two years, and again alongside Eriksson during Euro 2004.

The Boro players all appreciate the qualities of McClaren as Boro left-back Frank Queudrue explained.

"Steve is clearly a very good coach and a very good manager," said the 25-year-old Frenchman.

"For the players at Middlesbrough he is very easy to talk to.

"He wants to listen to what the players have to say. If we see an area in training that we think could be improved, or be done differently, then we know we can speak to Steve about it."

It is exactly that openness to players' opinions that would ensure the England team are likely to accept a switch to the former Manchester United No 2.

Boro, meanwhile, head into tonight's match against Real Mallorca at the Riverside hoping to use the experience against European opposition as part of their build-up to their UEFA Cup debut.

It will be the first chance for Boro's home fans to see new signings like Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Mark Viduka and Ray Parlour.

"They are a proven side in European football and it will be a good test for us," said French defender Queudrue, who has experienced European football while at RC Lens.

* Middlesbrough's Dutch new-boy Michael Reiziger has announced his retirement from international football. The 31-year-old defender - a summer arrival from Barcelona - played for Holland at Euro 2004, but then told new national boss Marco van Basten of his decision to quit.

* Boro have decided against offering a contract to Dutch trialist Sergio. The 19-year-old midfielder, who scored a superb goal in the friendly win over York, previously played for Anderlecht in Belgium.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.