HISTORY-making Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren has set his sights on a top-eight Premiership finish.

Boro visit relegation-threatened Everton today with McClaren, who led the Teessiders to their first major trophy a month ago when they won the Carling Cup, demanding that they end the season in style.

A dramatic 5-3 victory in a remarkable home game against Birmingham City a week ago saw Boro climb into the top ten.

Now McClaren wants his side to beat the club's highest Premiership placing, ninth in 1999 under predecessor Bryan Robson.

Boro go to Goodison Park bidding to register back-to-back League victories for the first time since November, and McClaren said: "We need to build on our win over Birmingham. We have nine opportunities left and every one is important.

"Our attitude is that every game, including away games, is a winning opportunity.

"We're hoping to finish the season in style and we need to find the form that will put this club in the position it should be in, which is the top eight.

"We're aiming to beat 52 points, which is the club's best Premiership total, as well as ninth place.

"Three points at Everton would also end all thoughts about relegation, so that's another good reason to go for the win."

McClaren, meanwhile, has launched his fight to keep Bolo Zenden at the Riverside.

The Dutchman, on loan from Chelsea until the end of the season, admitted on Thursday that he expected to return to Stamford Bridge this summer.

But McClaren moved quickly when he opened talks only hours later aimed at holding on to Zenden.

The Boro boss last night said: "We sat down yesterday afternoon and talked about the future and number one was I told him: "I want you here next year, I want you here as a Middlesbrough player.

"He's had a tremendous season. He enjoys his football, he likes it here, he's playing week in, week out and he's a fans' favourite.

"He knows the ball is in his court. He will have options in the summer and all we can do is show him what we've got - sign for us. But he knows other clubs will be interested and Chelsea might want him back.

"We just want to persuade him this is the one. It took him a while to establish himself, but he's become one of our best players."

McClaren confirmed Boro are in talks with seven other players over new deals: goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, defenders Ugo Ehiogu, Gareth Southgate, Colin Cooper and Danny Mills, striker Joseph-Desire Job and midfielder Doriva.

Like Zenden, Mills is on a season's loan and Boro have already failed in two attempts to clinch a permanent move for the Leeds right-back.

McClaren, shaping a squad to compete in next season's UEFA Cup, added: "We have said to all eight: 'We want to talk? What I've done with all eight is said: 'I want you here next year.'

"They all know that. Negotiations are ongoing, but let's finish the season first."

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