MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren last night appeared to have been taken by surprise after Liverpool counterpart Gerard Houllier revealed that Emile Heskey's immediate future lies at Anfield.

McClaren had earlier confirmed for the first time that the England striker had been the subject of talks between the clubs.

"I know Emile very well and he's a player I've always admired and enjoyed working with when I was with England,'' said McClaren.

"I think he's a very good player and someone who would definitely interest us. We have made an enquiry and it's still ongoing; there's no decision one way or another.

"We are speaking with Liverpool and if anything happens, you (the media) will be the second set of people to know!''

But that remark looked to have rebounded on McClaren as Houllier, at virtually the same time, insisted Heskey would be staying on Merseyside - for the time being at least.

Houllier went further, maintaining none of his players would be leaving and that there would be no incoming deals during the transfer window.

Portsmouth were eager to take striker Milan Baros on loan, but Houllier said: "Emile Heskey will not be going anywhere in the transfer window - and the same applies to Milan Baros. Letting him go on loan is nonsense.

''Why would we do that having taken most of the season getting him fit after his broken leg? Nobody will be leaving. Surely people know what I think about my players. Clearly I must repeat myself. Nobody is going to leave and nobody is going to come in.

"The way people talk about us you would think we are out of everything, but we are still in three competitions.''

McClaren is anxious to add a striker to his goal-shy squad, and Leeds' Australian international Mark Viduka has also been linked with Boro.

But McClaren, trying to make on-loan Leeds right-back Danny Mills a permanent feature on Teesside, said: "Viduka is a player I've always admired, but there's been no enquiry or anything like that.''

McClaren is also an admirer of Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt, who was this week granted a transfer request by Sir Alex Ferguson.

But former Old Trafford assistant boss McClaren stressed: "Our priority is to bring in another striker. Nicky Butt, as everybody knows, is a player I admire.

"If it was at all possible, I would love Nicky Butt to be here, but we have other priorities and, financially, we need to look at those areas.

"There's not a lot of money anywhere and the transfer market is quieter than last year. Everybody seems to be waiting for the big transfer somewhere that sparks off the merry-go-round.''

McClaren has demanded that his side bounce back from the 4-1 hammering at Arsenal a week ago when they host Leicester City this afternoon.

"The players knew they had let themselves down last week,'' said McClaren.

"We're looking for a positive response, because we said to the players that the top teams bounce back and win.

"I remember when I was at Manchester United, we lost 5-0 to Chelsea and didn't lose for 22 games after that.

"We need to treat Leicester with respect, but be attacking and give a performance that really wipes out the display against Arsenal.''

McClaren has major worries at the heart of defence, however, with skipper Gareth Southgate and Ugo Ehiogu doubtful.

Southgate has had scans on a hamstring injury, while Ehiogu is nursing a groin problem sustained against Arsenal.

"If you lose big players it's a big loss,'' said McClaren. "Hopefully, if not this weekend, the pair of them will be back for the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final at Arsenal on Tuesday.

"To us, losing them is like Man. United losing Keane and van Nistelrooy or Ferdinand, and Arsenal losing Henry and Vieira or Pires.

"But we have excellent players to come in, like Chris Riggott, Colin Cooper, Andrew Davies and Stuart Parnaby, who have all performed very well before and we expect them to do the same again.''

Midfielder Gaizka Mendieta has recovered from the virus which forced him to miss the last two games.

The Spaniard made his Boro debut in the hard-fought goalless draw at Leicester in August and McClaren said: "It was an eye-opener for him, and we've told him to expect the same this weekend.

"He's stronger and better after his virus, but we'll have to see whether we start with him or not.''

Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer makes his 250th Boro appearance, and McClaren said: "He's fantastic - a great keeper. Credit to Paul Barron. In the past couple of years he's worked with Mark and improved him in areas where maybe he was weak.

"He's one of the best keepers in the Premier League and he's another we hope will stay here for the long-term.''