AUSSIE Tony Vidmar is playing for his future when he steps in to take the place of the stricken Ugo Ehiogu in Middlesbrough's FA Cup third-round clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.

Boro rescued Vidmar from the prospect of the dole queue after the 33-year-old defender had been released by Rangers in the summer.

But Vidmar is only under contract at the Riverside until the end of the season and knows he must make the most of his chance now that Ehiogu is out for up to two months after suffering a punctured lung and two broken ribs in Boro's New Year's Day defeat at Blackburn.

The versatile Vidmar, who enjoyed a successful run in the side while deputising for Franck Queudrue at left-back, will today partner skipper Gareth Southgate at the heart of defence.

Boro goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer recommended international teammate Vidmar to Steve McClaren, and the Teessiders' manager admitted: "He's been fantastic and invaluable to us. He's played at left-back, right-back and centre-back; he's never let us down and we're very pleased with him.

"He did very well when he came on for Ugo at Blackburn.

"We were looking for someone before the transfer deadline in August and Mark recommended him strongly.

"Tony didn't have anything after leaving Rangers. We invited him in for a couple of weeks and we took him after the deadline. FIFA allowed us to do that because he was a free agent.

"If you look at his record, he has the pedigree and experience. This is a chance for him.''

Ehiogu is due to be transferred to hospital in Middlesbrough today after being kept under close observation at Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

The England international is one of three key Boro players out of action, along with knee victims Juninho and George Boateng.

With injuries taking a toll and the transfer window open, McClaren is anxious to strengthen what he admits is still an inexperienced squad.

But with money tight, he is likely to be restricted to loan deals. He said: "You always want to improve and you're always on the look-out for new players. I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't do that.

"We have injuries and a light squad at the moment. We've got 29 points and we're in mid-table; a couple of wins, and people are talking about Europe, a couple of defeats and you're looking over your shoulder.

"You've already seen that people with ambition are actively looking to improve their team and I can be no different.''

McClaren has drafted defender Andrew Davies and winger Stewart Downing, both 18, into the squad as Boro look to emulate their Cup run of last season, when they reached the semi-finals before losing to double-winning Arsenal at Old Trafford.

"The Cup was good to us last season and we want to do the same this season,'' said McClaren.

"We gave Chelsea a tough game there in November. We only lost 1-0 and nearly got something out of the game.

"Last season we beat Manchester United here after everybody had said we would go out of the Cup. Everybody is saying the same this time, but it's a great opportunity for us.''

Boro have gone just over 11 hours without a goal on their Premiership travels and are praying the Cup brings a change of luck.

"Things have to turn some time, and hopefully it will be this weekend,'' said McClaren. "We're not the sort of people to panic - we're not worried in the least.

"We obviously have to maintain our good home form and the impetus we've built up over the first half of the season, which has been terrific.

"But we'll take anything goals-wise at the moment - even one off the referee's backside!''

Club record £8.15m buy Massimo Maccarone, without a goal in his last 11 starts, is likely to keep his place despite a poor display at Blackburn.

Noel Whelan is back in the squad after being hit by another injury problem. McClaren explained: "He had a groin injury and when he came back to training, he did his back.

"But he's trained again and he's travelling."

Read more about Middlesbrough here.