MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren is confident his side will finish the season with a flourish after recharging their batteries in the Spanish sun.

The Boro squad returned to training yesterday following a four-day break in La Manga that gave them a rare breather ahead of the final three weeks of the campaign.

Boro won just one of their last six league games last season, and lost their last four in a row 12 months before that.

But, with a first Premiership top eight finish on the cards, McClaren has tipped Boro to show a marked improvement this year.

"The players have been in good fettle since they came back," said McClaren. "And, in training, they've looked bright.

"We've finished the season poorly in the last couple of years so we've tried to freshen them up this week.

"The next four games are going to be very important. We're in the pack in the middle of the league and anybody who finds a bit of consistency over the last four games can really move forwards.

"The points are very tight from 12th place right up to fourth, and the picture changes every week.

"Consistency is the key now and, in Aston Villa, we're playing a team on Saturday that are more consistent than most."

Boro's Brazilian contingent was reduced by one yesterday when midfielder Ricardinho was released less than three months after moving to Teesside on a short-term deal.

The 27-year-old, who has 11 full international caps to his name, failed to force his way into the Boro first-team, although he was an unused substitute against Chelsea earlier this month.

"He was brought into the club in January as cover," said McClaren. "We had quite a few injuries then and it was a little bit like the Doriva situation a year ago.

"We brought Doriva in as cover and he came through and did well for us. He's continued to do well for us since and we thought that might happen with Ricardinho.

"But, unfortunately, we started a good run in January. Our midfield players started to come into form and we also had the added bonus of (Bolo) Zenden moving into the centre of midfield and doing well.

"That solved the problem when Jonathan Greening was out and, once Greening got back fit, the competition was that bit more intense.

"The team have been playing so well that Ricardinho hasn't been able to force his way in so, with reluctance, we've both agreed that he should further his career elsewhere."

Meanwhile, chief executive Keith Lamb has admitted that Danny Mills' future could hinge on whether or not Leeds United stay in the Premiership.

Mills has been on loan from Leeds since August and Boro are desperate to tie the right-back to the Riverside on a permanent deal.

But Leeds boss Eddie Gray would like to see the England international back at Elland Road, and he could get his way if his side avoid relegation.

"What happens at Leeds over the next few games will decide whether they want to keep him," confirmed Lamb. "Then we will see if a deal can be struck which will be acceptable to everyone.

"Nothing happened in January because my offer was not acceptable to Leeds United, and there was no real pressure to strike a deal as Danny was ours until the end of the season anyway."

* Middlesbrough midfielder Gary Smith has extended his loan spell at First Division basement boys Wimbledon to the end of the season.

The 20-year-old is expected to be released by Boro in the summer and Dons boss Stuart Murdoch is keen to sign him on a permanent basis.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.