STEVE McCLAREN is convinced the lure of Europe is the key to Middlesbrough forcing their way into the Premiership's top eight next season.

McClaren is anxious to make a major transfer breakthrough before he links up with England to prepare for Euro 2004, and avoid any risk of Boro repeating the dismal start they made to what ultimately proved an historic season.

They picked up only one point from their first five games but ended up winning the Carling Cup to qualify for next season's UEFA Cup, while maintaining mid-table respectability.

Boro boss McClaren will act as right-hand man to England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson for a second time after Brian Kidd was forced to pull out of this summer's tournament in Portugal through illness.

But McClaren knows that his international commitments, including warm-up games against Japan and Iceland in Manchester, could take up to six weeks out of his close-season schedule and is eager to land new recruits quickly.

He has confirmed his interest in Leeds strike duo Mark Viduka and Alan Smith, and is hoping to convert the loans of Elland Road right-back Danny Mills and Chelsea winger Bolo Zenden into permanent deals.

"We have targets in mind and we're speaking to people,'' said McClaren. "I hope we get things done sooner rather than later.

"The big regret is the first five games of the season and that we didn't recruit Mills, Zenden and Gaizka Mendieta early enough.

"At the start, we didn't really have the right squad and that affected our season overall. But I'm very pleased with the way we recovered and where we are now.

"One advantage we have is being in Europe next season. We've upped the profile of the club since winning the Carling Cup. People are taking notice of Middlesbrough and they can see our ambitions. We have Europe, so that's an attraction for anyone coming here.

"We've built a good platform and we need to add to it. What we've done is stabilise the club. We've established ourselves as a mid-table team and with a couple of additions to the squad, we could be looking at a top ten or top eight place next season.

"What's impressed me since we won the cup is the way the crowd have stayed with us. We had a full house for the last home game and they can see the club is progressing and that there's a lot to look forward to with Europe next season.''

Boro chief executive Keith Lamb insisted that McClaren's absence this summer won't affect the club's transfer market moves.

He said: "We are anticipating a busy summer, but we will be in daily contact with Steve so we don't anticipate any downside from his England involvement."

* Boro have released David Murphy, Sam Russell, Phil Gulliver and Craig Dove.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.