MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren welcomes Muzzy Izzet to the Riverside today with the message: "I hope you have a nightmare!''

The Leicester midfielder turned down a £6m move to Boro last month and McClaren admitted: "I was very disappointed.

"He would have been a great acquisition for this club. We'll welcome him for this game - then I hope he has a nightmare and is on the losing side.''

McClaren, however, remains a firm admirer of Izzet and hasn't ruled out a renewed move for the Turkish international this summer. Bottom-of-the-table Leicester face a desperate fight for their Premiership lives and, with the future at Filbert Street uncertain, Izzet is still on the transfer list.

"We'll keep tabs on him and see what happens in the summer,'' said McClaren, whose midfield department could face an overhaul, with skipper Paul Ince and Robbie Mustoe out of contract at the end of the season and yet to agree new deals.

Fans fear Ince will leave on a Bosman free, but the former England midfielder insists he has put his future on hold until he leads Boro out of the relegation woods.

McClaren's side are still only six points clear of the bottom three and Ince said: "I've decided to try to get the lads safe first, then take things from there.

"The most important thing for me is not whether I stay here next season or go, it's making sure Middlesbrough are in the Premiership.

"I'll talk with Steve and see what goes from there. I can't promise I'll be here next year.

"I've had a great time here and would like to stay, but you don't know in football, do you? The main objective at the moment is the well-being of Middlesbrough FC."

Ince, an inspirational force for Boro in his three years with the club, confirmed he has yet to have talks with McClaren, even though they were originally due to start around Christmas.

"I've not discussed things much with the manager," he said. "All I'm saying, from my point of view, is the last thing you want when the team needs a certain amount of points to be safe in the Premiership is to have contract talks in your head.

"You don't need that, you need to concentrate on one thing and the most important thing is the welfare of the club, not Paul Ince.''

McClaren said: "It's a stand-off at the moment. We're so embroiled in games, we have't had time to consider the future.

"Paul has been fantastic for this club over the last few weeks. His attitude in training has been first class as well and we just need him to keep performing like he has been, then we'll sit down and discuss things.''

French midfielder Michael Debeve, who joined Boro on a short-term deal this week after being released by Lens, is in the squad.

But McClaren said: "It's difficult because he's just arrived, the team is quite settled and we don't want to disrupt it.

"But Phil Stamp is out with a shoulder injury and we needed experienced cover across midfield. Michael gives us that and he's with us until the end of the season.''

McClaren has called on the fans to lay off keeper Mark Schwarzer, who was at fault with the goal that condemned Boro to defeat at West Ham a week ago.

The Aussie has won his place back after a three-month absence through international duty and injury, despite the fact that deputy Mark Crossley kept nine clean sheets in 16 games.

Schwarzer has been barracked by the home crowd since his return.

But McClaren said: "It's disappointing when the supporters boo him - it's a minority voicing their opinions. I think the majority are behind Mark Schwarzer.

"I believe he can be one of the top keepers in the Premiership and I have to stand or fall by my decisions.''

Leicester include former Boro striker Brian Deane, who moved in a £250,000 deal in November, and defend an amazing Riverside record.

In four visits they are unbeaten, having won three and never conceded a goal. And trips to Teesside in the last two seasons brought them 3-0 victories.

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