ROBBIE MUSTOE last night revealed the frustration he felt when Middlesbrough refused to budge during contract negotiations.

The veteran midfielder ended 12 years at the Teesside club when his deal expired at the end of last season. And Mustoe, who was part of the Charlton team that claimed three points over his old employers two days ago, admitted that it was never his intention to leave until talks over a new deal hit a stumbling block.

The 34-year-old, talking exclusively to Northern Echo Sport, says that he was keen to sign up for another season, but Boro took their time in offering him improved terms.

"Originally I wanted a two-year deal. I suggested that," said Mustoe, who joined Boro for £375,000 in 1990. "But Middlesbrough left me hanging on a bit.

"They kept saying they wanted me to stay and back in February I told them I wanted to stay.

"So at that point, I said why don't you give me a contract that will tie me over until the end of this season - in effect it was an 18-month contract.

"I don't know what was going on behind the scenes but they told me I had to wait until July.

"I couldn't understand why. We were doing well at the time. We were going well in the League, enjoying a good cup run and I was expecting a bit of movement on the contract side of things.

"It was then I thought I would, for the first time in a long time, get my agent to look around and see if there was any interest. Derby's interest came up straight away.

"If I was in the same situation now I would do the same again."

Mustoe and his family still live in the North-East and Charlton boss Alan Curbishley gives the player time to commute.

And spending most of his career at Boro means they are a club still very close to his heart.

Under Riverside chief Steve McClaren, the hard-working middle man formed an impressive partnership with Paul Ince at the heart of Boro's midfield.

The pair had a massive part to play in the side's rise up the Premiership table last season and into an FA Cup semi-final.

But now, with McClaren's new-look three-man centre midfield, there is a feeling Boro could go on to lift their first piece of silverware.

Mustoe wishes them well but he believes it is too early to say whether this season could turn out to be a glorious one.

"I have been a little surprised to see the start they've had," said Mustoe. "They are doing quite well.

"Everybody seems to be playing well and I hope they have a successful season. The coaching side of things is spot on and they are a well-organised club.

"It's too early to say whether they can finally win a trophy, it's a long, long season."

At The Valley on Sunday, Mustoe was given a warm reception by the travelling support.

And he admits he is already looking forward to the return trip to Teesside in March, should he win an extension to his short-term contract, which runs out in January.

He said: "It was a nice touch from the Boro fans. You never really know how the fans are going to react when you leave a club, so I was pleased.

"I'm now looking forward to the game at the Riverside and I hope I will get the same sort of reception."

Mustoe was close to moving to Derby County in the summer but a move broke down because of the Rams' lack of funds.

And now he insists he is happy to remain a Charlton player.

Meanwhile, Boro wing-back Robbie Stockdale suffered a recurrence of his heel injury and he will have treatment ahead of Saturday's home clash with Leeds, who are now managed by former Riverside head coach Terry Venables.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.