MIDDLESBROUGH are hoping past-experiences will help persuade Bolo Zenden his future lies on Teesside rather than Tyneside.

Zenden's agent and father Pierre has spoken this week of his son's wishes to move on, with his career at Chelsea heading for an end.

The Blues' west London rivals Fulham are known to have made their interest in the winger known and clubs on the continent are monitoring the situation.

Zenden is with the Holland squad, who played the Faroe Islands in Switzerland last night, as preparations for Euro 2004 nudge up a gear.

But it is his situation in this country that looks no nearer being resolved.

After a promising campaign at Boro, where he helped the club lift the Carling Cup during a nine-month loan spell, manager Steve McClaren has made no secret of his desire to make him a permanent addition.

But, with one year left to run on his Stamford Bridge contract, the Dutchman is keen to weigh up his options before committing himself to any deal.

Zenden did enjoy his time in the North-East and has suggested he is tempted by the prospect of playing in the UEFA Cup at the Riverside next season.

But his father Pierre has also indicated that the 27-year-old would be willing to move to Newcastle United - the club he almost joined three years ago.

Zenden was on the verge of signing for Sir Bobby Robson in 2001 until Chelsea steamed in and made a successful late bid for his signature.

Boro are hoping they are not the club to miss out on this occasion, although they have admitted no deal is likely to be sealed until after the final in Portugal on July 4.

Chief executive Keith Lamb told Northern Echo SPORT: "Bolo is now with the Holland squad so there will be nothing happening on that front until after the European Championships.

"Bolo knows we are interested and we know how much he enjoyed his time with us last season. We will have to wait and see."

Meanwhile, Paul Dickov's agent Phil Smith claims Boro have indicated they have interest in the Leicester striker.

The Foxes' relegation from the Premiership has sparked a flurry of inquiries regarding the availability of the Scotsman.

Nine clubs - including Blackburn, Everton, West Brom and Birmingham - are all in the hunt for Dickov and now Smith claims Boro could join them.

Boro have been trying to sign Mark Viduka, Patrick Kluivert and Portsmouth's Ayegbeni Yakubu and Dickov looks to have been mentioned as a back-up plan.

Smith said: "I don't know whether Middlesbrough have made an offer yet - I don't know if it's gone that far.

"There's been a sort of check made on him by Middlesbrough but no bid, as far I'm concerned, has gone to Leicester."

l Egypt striker Mido yesterday told reporters in Cairo he would love to try his luck in the Premiership, and a meeting with Newcastle boss Robson was just around the corner.

Mido is currently contracted to Marseille, but has found first-team opportunities hard to come by given the form of Didier Drogba - whose semi-final brace ended the Magpies hopes of lifting the UEFA Cup. The 21-year-old said: "I had problems with injuries and the outstanding performances of Drogba left me no chance to excel."