FIT-again striker Alen Boksic last night revealed his determination to score the goals to keep Middlesbrough away from relegation trouble.

Boksic, who made his first start for Boro on Tuesday night since the 3-0 defeat against Newcastle at St James' Park on Boxing Day, has been suffering from illness and injuries since the festive period.

But with a World Cup place in Croatia's squad up for grabs and finding apparent "peace of mind" at the Riverside - nearly two-and-a-half years after moving to Teesside - the striker is planning a successful final third of the season.

A goal and an assist in the win over Fulham on Tuesday night was confirmation that the 32-year-old is playing with a smile on his face again.

And his willingness to chase every cause is winning back the fans who briefly turned against him.

Boksic's appreciation of the fans' backing saw him applaud the supporters for chanting his name against Fulham, and the Croatian admits he was delighted to make a return to the starting line-up with a 27th-minute goal.

"I feel better physically because I worked hard when I was injured during January and then into February," said the ex-Lazio, Juventus and Marseille man, who had not found the net since the 1-0 win at Blackburn on December 1.

"It was important for me to play my first game and it was even nicer for me to score my goal.

"It's always nice to score goals, especially when you are just returning from being out, and now I hope that I can score a few more.

"It was also nice to hear the crowd shouting my name after being out injured. Now if I score 13 or so goals I will be happy and that is what I am aiming to do."

Boro's success over Jean Tigana's side saw them climb to 11th in the table and stretch their unbeaten run to eight games.

And in diminutive Italian Benito Carbone, on loan until the end of the season from Bradford City, Steve McClaren has a player who can bring out the best in temperamental Boksic.

Carbone has impressed in the two games, against Leeds and Fulham, he has played since joining and has already pleased the Teesside faithful with his performances.

And Boksic insists the fans are not the only benefactors from having the former Sheffield Wednesday and Aston Villa man around.

"Beni is going to be a very important player for us, you can tell that by the way he plays the game," said Boksic.

"We need players in our squad like him, with his type of quality.

"Beni can play between midfield and up front and we have been lacking somebody like this.

"If he plays behind the forwards then he can make important passes; if he plays up front he makes important passes.

"He did that for the goal I scored against Fulham. I scored because of the great ball which he played through for me.

"The way he plays football is the way I like it. He can do so much with the ball and that helps the team to create opportunities to score. That's good for all the team."

Boro make the trip to West Ham on Saturday knowing victory could see them sneak into the top ten for the first time this season.

And that, coupled with a quarter-final tie against Everton or Crewe in this season's FA Cup, suggests McClaren's men are finally heading in the right direction.

And Boksic, creator of Szilard Nemeth's winner against Fulham, said: "It was very important to win because now we are six points clear of Blackburn (occupants of the final relegation place).

"We have been looking to create more chances in games and we did that against Fulham."

Midfielder Robbie Mustoe suffered a dead leg against the Cottagers but he should be fit to face the Hammers.

* Tickets go on sale this morning for the FA Cup clash with Crewe or Everton on March 10. Prices range from £8 to £22

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