McClaren hands new deals to defensive duo

Veteran defender Colin Cooper has been rewarded for a consistent campaign with a one-year deal, while stand-in captain Ugo Ehiogu has agreed in principle to terms that will keep him at the Riverside until 2007.

For Cooper in particular it is a tremendous boost and he could now fulfil a dream of playing for his first club in their maiden adventure in the UEFA Cup next season.

When the 37-year-old - the sixth oldest player in the top-flight - was allowed to move to Sunderland on loan in March it had appeared that his days on Teesside were numbered.

However McClaren, delighted with the way Cooper has filled the void when he has been called upon this season, believes the Boro stalwart can continue to play at the highest level for another year.

"Colin has still got a lot to offer in terms of being a player," said the Boro boss, who has also had Cooper involved on the coaching side.

"He's one of the fittest players at this club. His experience and the character he is around the place is fantastic. Colin abides by high standards and he's a great role model.

"He shows to all the youngsters that if they look after themselves then we can still be playing at the age of 38. He is a tremendous example. He can perform as well."

Ehiogu remains a huge part of the McClaren team alongside Gareth Southgate at the heart of the defence. The partnership is widely regarded as one of the best in the Premiership - while all the defenders have contributed in helping Boro keep 14 clean sheets this season.

A serious knee injury meant Ehiogu had to spend the first few months of the campaign on the sidelines and that spell has damaged his chances of playing in Euro 2004.

But McClaren said: "Ugo is still capable of going. Everything this year has been a bonus for him because he had seven months out injured. I have never seen anyone work as hard as he did to get fit.

"The biggest thing is to enjoy playing. He brings experience, is an international player and is very professional.

"The way he came back from injury is incredible and Andrew Davies is trying to copy what Ugo did. Southgate epitomises what this club is all about as do the likes of Ugo and Cooper."

Cooper looks like missing out on the chance of making his 400th Boro appearance at bottom club Wolves today with a knee injury, so Ehiogu is likely to be paired with Chris Riggott at the back.

Three points at Molineux could close the four point gap on the Champions League places further - even though McClaren is refusing to set that as a target.

What the Boro boss prefers to aim for is the club's highest Premiership finish (eighth) and beating their best 52 points total achieved in the 1999-2000 season.

But, with European football and the club's first major trophy already assured, McClaren knows that a great deal of progress has been made.

"The first two years here were all about getting everything in order, building a solid platform all the way up," said the former Manchester United No 2, whose side have not lost in five.

"We knew this was going to be a big year. We have built the platform and next year is even bigger. We have to keep going forward.

"Last weekend we took an opportunity to reach 45 points. All the players are realistic to know that our first target is to get over 50 points; then we want 52 and then we want us to finish in the top eight.

"Anything else would be a massive bonus."

Boro's senior success looks like being emulated at Academy level after the youngsters claimed a superb 3-0 victory in the first leg of the FA Youth Cup final at Aston Villa on Thursday night.

They go into the return leg at the Riverside on Monday with victory in the competition for the first time a huge possibility.

And McClaren paid tribute, saying: "There's still work to do but it was a magnificent performance. Dave Parnaby should be proud of the set-up he has built here.

"They are looking to go one further this year, after losing to Manchester United a year ago, and let's hope they can."