STEVE McClaren has insisted he is fully committed to Middlesbrough, despite emerging as the firm favourite to replace Sven Goran Eriksson, should the England boss lose his job this week.

Eriksson's position will be discussed at an emergency FA board meeting on Thursday, with the governing body still reeling from the twin resignations of chief executive Mark Palios and director of communications Colin Gibson.

The weekend's events have helped to garner support for the under-fire Swede, but there remains a faction within the FA that is desperate to see him forced out of his job.

England's opening World Cup qualifier against Austria is just a month away and, should Eriksson be removed from his post, the FA would hope to have his successor in place as quickly as possible.

McClaren is understood to be at the top of their wish list, with most major bookmakers making him odds on to succeed the Swede.

The Boro boss worked alongside Eriksson at this summer's European Championships and was his number two for two years before leaving the post to concentrate on matters at the Riverside in November 2002.

But, after bringing his summer spending spree to a close with the permanent capture of Bolo Zenden yesterday, McClaren dismissed speculation linking him to the England post and stressed that he remained fully focused on Middlesbrough.

"You know my policy," said McClaren. "It's not to comment on anyone else's job or anyone else's position. It's not my policy to comment on all the speculation that we've seen over the last week.

"I'm manager of Middlesbrough Football Club and we're here signing a quality player and improving our squad, and aiming forward.

"There's no way I'll comment on speculation and what's going on at the FA - it's not my job to do that. It's pure speculation. We'll just get on with our work and there's an excitement and a buzz around the place.

"We're all looking forward to the new season and, with the addition of Bolo, I'm very excited. If the season started today we'd be very, very happy.

"We've shown our ambition in what we did last year, and we've shown it again in what we've done this summer."

Zenden has signed a one-year deal with Boro after completing a free transfer move from Chelsea that has dragged on for most of the summer.

The Dutch international spent last season on loan at the Riverside, and McClaren instigated transfer talks as long ago as January.

But the verstaile left footer, who finished last season as Boro's highest-scoring midfielder, chose to keep his options open for as long as possible before finally making a permanent move to the North-East.

He joins Michael Reiziger, Mark Viduka, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Ray Parlour on the list of summer arrivals, and is expected to make his first appearance as a permanent Boro player when Spanish side Real Mallorca visit Teesside tomorrow night.

"He's the final piece in the jigsaw," said McClaren. "It's taken a long time, but we've finally got our man.

"We're delighted that he's signed. Both on and off the field, he'll bring tremendous experience and be a great influence.

"We've got someone who can provide balance on the left-hand side. We've got a good young player coming through in Stewart Downing, but we wanted a bit of competition and we've certainly got that now.

"All the signings have been very positive and we're delighted with them all. Every one has come through the door and they want to win things.

"The biggest thing for me wasn't just bringing in quality players - I wanted players who have a point to prove.

"I want them to come here and improve Middlesbrough Football Club from where we were last season. I'm very happy with what I've got."

Zenden scored seven goals in 37 appearances last season, including a crucial penalty in Boro's Carling Cup final win over Bolton.

He insists that Middlesbrough were always his "first choice" when it became apparent that he had no future at Stamford Bridge, despite his father discussing the possibility of a move to the continent just two weeks ago.

And, after helping the club break their 128-year trophy hoodoo last year, the 27-year-old is determined to enjoy more success next season.

"It's good to be back," said Zenden, who was part of the Dutch side that made it to the last four of Euro 2004 this summer. "I really enjoyed my time last year - we won the cup and that took us into Europe.

"We rocked the place last season and shook it up - that's what we want to do again this season

"All the players that have come in have come in with a lot of quality and experience. They're players who know how to win games and win trophies. The players are hungry like me.

"I'm here to win things. We won something last year and now we have to build on that."

*Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood will open talks with striker Noel Whelan today.

The former Boro, Leeds and Coventry forward was on trial with the Dons and played in the friendly defeat to FC Twente at the weekend.

Calderwood has been impressed with the attitude displayed by the 29-year-old during his short stint with the club.

He said: ''Noel travelled back with us before flying home and we will be talking to his agent on Monday to try and sort out a deal.

''At this stage, we don't have much time to see any more of him but we have spoken to a lot of people about Noel and they have all given the same reports.

''He is a brave lad, who is a great professional, and he would certainly be a brilliant boy to have in the dressing room given his experience.''

Calderwood is also set to begin negotiations with West Brom counterpart Gary Megson over a move for striker Scott Dobie.

He added: ''Our interest in Dobie is well documented.West Brom have managed to bring in Kanu and Jonathan Greening but we are no further forward.''

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