NEW Fulham goalkeeper Mark Crossley last night claimed he turned his back on Middlesbrough to boost his Euro 2004 chances.

The Welshman joined the Londoners last week in a £500,000 deal, but he had to watch from the bench when Steve McClaren took his squad to Loftus Road on Saturday.

Crossley had to play second fiddle to Australian Mark Schwarzer during his three years on Teesside - after McClaren had made his choice of No 1 quite clear.

And now Crossley, who has a close relationship with fellow countryman and Fulham boss Chris Coleman, is convinced he stands a much better chance of ousting Edwin van der Sar between the posts.

If he achieves that then the former Nottingham Forest man believes he will strengthen his case to become Wales' goalkeeper for the European Championships in Portugal next year - provided Mark Hughes' side make it there.

"I want to play for Wales and we have a great chance of reaching Euro 2004," said Crossley, who has five caps. "If I get my chance at Fulham, it will open the door for me with Wales.

"I did get in the team at Boro and did very well. But then I was left out - so I hope that doesn't happen here. Chris Coleman is a very good friend of mine and I felt I had more chance of playing first team football there than at the Riverside.

"Edwin van der Sar hasn't got long left at Fulham and I also know what happened to Maik Taylor at Fulham last season, when he did well he stayed in the team. That was never going to happen at Boro.

"Whenever Mark (Schwarzer) was fit he was going to play and that was made very clear to me.

"But I have no problem with that, I'd rather be told than lied to, so I just felt I had a better chance of first team football at Loftus Road." Before Saturday's Premiership opener at Fulham, Crossley took the chance to say his farewell to the Boro supporters.

And said: "I just hope the fans understand why I had to move because they were fantastic with me and I can't thank them enough.

"I gave the fans a wave before the game on Saturday and they responded which made me very happy because I didn't want to leave on bad terms.

"Once Boro get their big players back they will be a force to be reckoned with and I wish them well."

Meanwhile, McClaren is hoping to receive a decision from Spanish star Gaizka Mendieta within the next 48 hours. The Boro boss is keen to add the Lazio midfielder - as well as Fulham's Sean Davis - to his playing staff on loan for the remainder of the season.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.