MIDDLESBROUGH defender Franck Queudrue - facing another FA rap - has cheekily demanded the repayment of club fines after helping to spark a Riverside revival.

Queudrue, the only Premiership player sent off three times last season, was banned for the first five games this term.

But his return coincided with a three-match winning run in all competitions after Boro began the campaign by picking up only one point from 15.

Steve McClaren has told Queudrue he has seen the last of his money.

But the Boro boss, who insists the left-back doesn't have a problem with discipline, will challenge any charge over the incident which led to the dismissal of Southampton striker Kevin Phillips.

As exclusively revealed in Northern Echo Sport last week, the FA have referred the matter to their video advisory panel after Queudrue appeared to tread on Phillips' leg before the former Sunderland star was red-carded for kicking out at the Frenchman, in the final minute of Boro's 1-0 win at St. Mary's ten days ago.

McClaren said: "Franck is not an undisciplined player. He's rash at the worst and over-exuberant, but he's definitely not dirty or vicious. He epitomises our will to win.

"We sat down with him in the summer and talked about his red cards. We fined him a lot of money and he tried to get that money back after we won the three games.

"But there was no chance of that. If he'd been available for the first five games, we might have won one of them!''

Boro's winning sequence came to an end at the Riverside on Sunday when Chelsea snatched a 2-1 victory through Hernan Crespo two minutes from time.

McClaren, though delighted with his side's rousing second-half recovery, promised an "inquiry'' into how Damien Duff was able to find the head of Crespo at the far post.

As the cross came from Boro's left, Queudrue could be one of the players called into question.

"I'll have to look at it again,'' said McClaren. "You have to try to stop the cross; the ball travelled 50 or 60 yards and ended up in the back of the net. There'll be an inquiry into that. I couldn't see Chelsea scoring in the second half.''

Gaizka Mendieta, in his first game back following a three-match absence with a calf problem, was inspirational for Boro after the break.

The Spanish midfielder set up the equaliser for Szilard Nemeth, and McClaren said: "The service Mendieta can give to someone like Malcolm Christie can only make him a better player.''

Christie declared: "Mendieta is a world-class player and he has shown he can be a major force for us this season.''

Boro could ask referee Mark Halsey to reconsider his decision to book striker Christie for a challenge on Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini.

It was a 50-50 ball and there scarcely looked to be contact, but Cudicini made a meal of it and Christie was cautioned.

McClaren, who felt the booking was "very harsh'', added: "We'll certainly look at it, but these things can be a waste of time.''

Boro now face a near-fortnight's break before the derby clash with Newcastle United at the Riverside a week on Saturday.

McClaren said: "It's frustrating but at least it gives us time to get people like Gareth Southgate fit again.''

* Boro are understood to be keeping tabs on striker Eidur Gudjohnsen, who opened the scoring for Chelsea at the Riverside. Manchester City are also keen on the Icelandic international.

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