STEWART DOWNING and Joseph Job have edged closer to earning new contracts at Middlesbrough.

Both players are out of contract in the summer and are keen to extend their stays on Teesside.

Teenage sensation Downing has held talks with manager Steve McClaren for a number of weeks now and it is likely he will be rewarded for the way he has developed this season.

He said: ''I definitely see my future at Boro. I want to stay here and become a regular.

"My contract runs out at the end of the season but I'm in talks to renew it. I'm hopeful that everything can be agreed.''

The 19-year-old, tipped as a future England international, was sensational in the 2-1 win over Fulham on Wednesday night.

And McClaren admits negotiations over a new deal for the talented left winger - who has attracted interest from Sunderland, Rangers and Wigan - are at an advanced stage.

"His contract is up at the end of the season and we are negotiating at the moment to try to secure his services," said the Boro boss, who has worked with two of the best wingers in the world in David Beckham and Ryan Giggs.

"We are not far away in talks. Stewart wants to stay with us and we want him to stay because he can be an important part of the future of this football club.

"We don't want to lose our younger players and we take pride in our young players coming through."

But McClaren warned: "He is a young player and every young player who has got fantastic ability like he has got has to perform consistently. That's what he has to do and not rest on his laurels.

"He has to make sure he does his part and we have to make sure we do our job on him as well.

"But the deliveries from Stewart are superb. Not only is there that, there is a positiveness and work-rate which is fantastic."

Downing spent a spell before Christmas on loan at neighbours Sunderland where he scored three goals in six appearances before being recalled.

That time at the Stadium of Light has brought out the player's confidence and the Boro boss thanked Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy.

"There's a lot more belief about him now," said McClaren. "He wants the ball.

"We always knew he had great potential and he went out on loan just as all the top players did when they were younger. It does them good.

"That's why we allowed him to go to Sunderland and that's why we appreciate what they have done for him and they have helped him come back like he has."

Job, meanwhile, has turned his back on appearing for his country in this month's African Nartions Cup in a bid to earn himself a new deal with Boro.

And the Cameroon international - who cost £3m from Lens in 2000 - is another going the right way about things and he scored the first in the success over Fulham.

McClaren said: "I think Joseph has already shown how effective he is up front. Joseph's contract is up at the end of the season and he is fighting for a new one. Anymore performances like Wednesday night and he will get one very soon."

And McClaren is now firmly focused on Saturday's trip to Arsenal. Boro's first of three jaunts to Highbury and the first of four matches with the Gunners in January.

"Three points were vital against Fulham," he said.

"Now we have got another easy game on Saturday! It's the start of an epic. Hopefully we can go there and prove how far we have come."

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