SLOVAKIA'S Szilard Nemeth fears his derby heroics for Middlesbrough may have come at a heavy personal price - the loss of a chance to face England in next month's Euro 2004 qualifier.

The striker pulled out of his country's Group Seven opener in Turkey last weekend with a hamstring injury and incurred the wrath of his national coach.

Nemeth had been nursing the injury but still managed to score on his comeback in Boro Reserves' 1-1 home draw with Leeds last Wednesday.

The former Inter Bratislava man had originally sustained the injury while on international duty last month and Boro manager Steve McClaren - England's assistant coach - was anxious to see him make a full recovery in time for Tuesday's Tees-Wear duel with Sunderland at the Riverside.

Nemeth scored twice in Boro's resounding 3-0 victory, but he is now worried his withdrawal from the Slovakia squad could jeopardise his hopes of a starting role when England arrive in Bratislava for the clash on Saturday, October 12.

Slovakia lost 3-0 to Turkey and Nemeth confessed: "I was disappointed to miss out on playing for Slovakia last week.

"I spoke with the manager when he called me last week and asked about my injury.

"I told him I had started training, but he said nothing about the national team because he was angry.

"I would like to play in the next game against England. It will be a very difficult game.

"We play very well at home and it is good for everybody to play against England.

"Of course, I would like to play and score two goals against England, too, but it will be difficult.''

Nemeth, 25, is at least hoping that his loyalty to Boro is repaid with a run of games in McClaren's starting line-up.

The Sunderland match was the first Nemeth had started this season and he has failed to command a regular place since he was signed in the spring of last year on a free transfer by the Bryan Robson-Terry Venables regime.

Nemeth said: "I hope this is the start of something new for me at Middlesbrough. I would like a run in the first team.

"I think this is my best moment in English football. Last season against Fulham, when we won 2-1 at home and I scored, was very good as well though.

"The manager has given me a chance, I have scored two goals, and I'm very happy.

"I played well in games last season but I would then not start the next game.

"I had to be very patient last season. Even if I played well I would be on the bench for the next game.

"Many times I came in and played well, but then I would get dropped so I now hope to play more games.''

Nemeth was preferred to Croatia's Alen Boksic, who is still feeling the effects of a thigh injury, and linked well with Massimo Maccarone against Sunderland.

The £8.15m Italy striker set up both goals for Nemeth and scored one himself.

Maccarone is already winning rave reviews only two months after his move from Empoli.

But McClaren last night insisted he has no fears about Europe's big guns training their sights on his club record buy.

Roma and Juventus were interested in Maccarone, who has also been watched by Inter Milan this season.

Former Boro striker Marco Branca, now scouting for Inter, ran the rule over Maccarone last week in Boro's 1-0 defeat at Manchester United.

Having now bagged three goals in five Premiership appearances, the Serie A elite are sure to be keeping tabs on the 23-year-old frontman.

Boro have already denied reports that Roma have first refusal to sign Maccarone at the end of the season.

And McClaren maintained: "I'm not at all worried about big clubs chasing him.

"If that's the case, and if he's in the Italian national squad, then he must be doing well.

"He's a young player who has done very well in the game so far.

"Everybody has seen the ability the boy has.

"He's a goalscorer, he's quick, works hard and is committed."

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