MIDDLESBROUGH manager Steve McClaren believes the fourth Champions League place is up for grabs in the Premiership, but is ruling Boro out of the chase.

The Teessiders have put together a League run that has seen them take 18 points from the last ten games, putting them just behind Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal in the form table.

They have turned their season around after a miserable start which saw them pick up one point from the first 15, but a win over Charlton today would put them within touching distance of fourth spot.

McClaren said: "We're in a very good run of form. Only Chelsea have picked up more points than us in the last six games.

"I believe it's between Liverpool and Newcastle for that fourth spot.

"But we've got eight games in 25 days, starting this week with three games.

"The squad is tested to the full and it's good we've got Ugo Ehoigu back in training, along with Stuart Parnaby and Allan Johnston.

"This period sorts out the big boys from the small boys and come January 1 you'll have a better idea of where you'll finish."

The only problem area for McClaren's side appears to be the lack of a proven goalscorer.

They were linked with a move for Blackburn's Andy Cole this week, and McClaren is aware that it is now more than 11 hours since one of his strikers scored from open play in the Premiership

He said: "We've scored goals in the past but we aren't at present. We'll just keep doing the same things and it should come right.

"If we were doing everything right then we'd be up there with the top three.

"People say we need a 20-goal a season man but how many teams have that in the Premiership?

"We'd like to score more goals and I'm sure other teams in the Premiership would like to concede fewer goals.

"From now until the end of January we're going to be linked with a number of strikers, but we're waiting for somebody at the club to step forward.

"People have had the opportunities, but goals come from all areas, not just from strikers. From centre-halves at set pieces, from someone bending the ball around a wall from 25 yards."

Tomorrow's match is likely to come too soon for England international Ehiogu who, along with Parnaby, came through a 90-minute practice match last Wednesday.

Despite Colin Cooper being a doubt with flu, McClaren has earmarked Monday's reserve game for Ehiogu, and the former Aston Villa centre-back is likely to come into contention for the match at Birmingham next weekend.

Ehiogu faces a battle to regain his place as Boro look to beat a 28-year club record by recording their seventh successive top-flight shut-out today.

But the Boro boss was full of praise for his £8m man, saying: "Our physio Grant Downie says he's never seen a player work so hard to come back from injury.

"He's been in day in, day out, leaving at 5pm. It's not me turning out the lights, it's Ugo."

Also in the squad is Stewart Downing after being recalled from his loan spell at Sunderland - a move that disappointed Black Cats' boss Mick McCarthy after Downing hit his third goal against Coventry on Monday.

McClaren said: "I know Stewart can do the same here. He needed games and experience and we were grateful to Mick McCarthy for giving him that opportunity.

"We've got a few injuries with Doriva and Juninho and we're a little light in midfield - it's a great opportunity for Stewart to come in."