DEAN WINDASS wants to stay with Middlesbrough for the rest of his career.

The attack-minded midfielder has vowed to overcome his latest injury setback and show manager Steve McClaren he is worthy of a new, long-term deal.

Windass re-emerged from the wilderness when he made his first senior appearance of the season in Tuesday's 4-1 Worthington Cup romp at Brentford.

But his game was cut short at half-time by a recurrence of a calf injury.

The problem is related to the nerves in his back and kept him out for a month before he returned to action against Liverpool Reserves last week, when he scored a penalty.

Windass has faced an uncertain future since McClaren succeeded Bryan Robson in the Boro hot-seat in the summer of last year.

He had a spell on loan with Sheffield Wednesday last season, and yesterday admitted: "I was on the verge of going somewhere on loan when I got injured, but that gave me time to think about my situation and what was going on in my life.

"I spoke with the gaffer and he said it was not a problem for him if I stayed to get fit and tried to fight for my place and a new contract.

"My current deal is up at the end of the season and I want a contract which will allow me to stay here for the rest of my career.

"He told me to get fit and see what happens from there.

"Last season, when I got the chance to play in the FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal at Old Trafford, I made a decision to get my mind right and push for a first-team place.

"I still think I can do a job at Middlesbrough, but this season has started badly with two unfortunate injuries, although it hasn't affected my determination to make my mark at the club.

"I am only 33 and, these injuries aside, still feel very fit and I do not want to go anywhere else.

"I came back too early, but this time we are going to get it right.''

Windass added: "I am very disappointed to be injured again because I worked really hard to get myself fit and back in contention, and I was delighted to get the call-up for the Brentford game.

"I was really looking forward to it and on the night, playing up front with Noel Whelan, I thought we were flying as a team and a partnership.

"It is back to square one and it is very frustrating.

"But I am determined to get back and prove I can still be part of the manager's plans.

"I've also done the first stage of my coaching badge in the summer and I've told the manager that if I'm not in the first team I can help the younger lads at the club, especially playing with the reserves.

"I love it at the club, I have a great relationship with Steve McClaren and I get on really well with him.

"I'm really pleased the lads are doing so well.

"The manager has bought really well during the summer and all his signings have come in for him and not let him down.

"Massimo Maccarone has been a revelation and done brilliantly, better than any of us can have dreamed.

"Joseph Job has been superb. He's like a different player and a different man to the one who was here in the last two years. He is just unbelievable.

"The gaffer has given him a chance and he just seems to believe in himself.

"The manager has told him he has the ability and that he just needed to go out and prove it.

"It is just that kind of inspiration players like me, who are on the fringes of the club, need and I think we all took that attitude into the game at Brentford.

"It is why the injury is such a big blow.

"Jonathan Greening has played in every League game this season and improved all the time.

"But the main factor in our success has been the backline of Gareth Southgate and Ugo Ehiogu, with Mark Schwarzer behind them."

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