MIDDLESBROUGH manager Steve McClaren has assured goalkeeper Mark Crossley that he is still needed at the Riverside, writes Clive Hetherington.

The 33-year-old Welsh international is back with Boro after an extended loan at Stoke City.

Crossley's inspired form helped to keep the Potters in the First Division.

With Australia's Mark Schwarzer ever-present for Boro in the Premiership this season, Crossley had to be content with only two Worthington Cup appearances.

Schwarzer's compatriot Brad Jones acted as cover while Crossley was at the Britannia Stadium.

But McClaren has confirmed that he wants former Nottingham Forest keeper Crossley, who has a year to run on his contract, to stay with Boro.

"Mark has been tremendous for us when he's been in the team,'' said McClaren, who had to call on Crossley for a three-month period last season because of an injury to Schwarzer.

"We loaned him out to give Stoke a helping hand and he kept them up.

"He proved he was one of the best keepers in the First Division. For us, when he's played, he's been in the top ten keepers in the Premiership.

"We're well off for keepers at the moment. We have two quality ones in Schwarzer and Crossley, and underneath them we've got young lads like Brad Jones, Ross Turnbull and Sam Russell. We have keepers coming out of our ears, but we want Mark Crossley to stay.''

McClaren is having talks with Argentinian midfielder Carlos Marinelli following the breakdown of his proposed move to relegated Serie A side Torino.

Marinelli had looked destined for a permanent move to Turin at the end of his three-month loan, but failed to agree personal terms.

Boro initially wanted £3m for the 21-year-old, who was signed from Boca Juniors for £1.5m by Bryan Robson in the summer of 1999.

But it is understood they would now settle for recouping their money.

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