MIDDLESBROUGH midfielder Robbie Mustoe last night pleaded with the fans to give Steve McClaren time to find his managerial feet - and endorsed his involvement in the England set-up.

There have been murmurs of discontent among supporters following McClaren's link-up with England in the aftermath of Boro's dreadful 3-1 home defeat by Southampton on Saturday.

Boro yesterday denied suggestions that McClaren would be breaking off from England's preparations for Saturday's World Cup qualifying decider with Greece at Old Trafford to hold crisis talks with his backroom staff in the wake of the weekend setback.

McClaren only agreed to become a first-time manager with Boro in the summer on the proviso that he was free to resume his England coaching role under Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Boro chairman Steve Gibson believes his club will benefit in the long-term from McClaren's association with England.

Mustoe, Boro's longest-serving player after 11 years on Teesside, insisted: "People might think the manager should spend all his time here, but the consensus at the club is that it's good for him and the club to be involved with England.

"The chairman and the club have backed the manager to do that. From day one they said they were happy for him to be with England. I think it's good for the profile of the club.

"I just hope the fans give him time because he's inherited a squad of players and he's got plans for the long-term. I think the future is bright here.''

The innovative McClaren, formerly Sir Alex Ferguson's right-hand man at Manchester United, brought in sports psychologist Bill Beswick as his assistant manager and the experienced Steve Harrison as first-team coach.

"I've been very impressed with the new regime,'' said Mustoe. "I did a coaching course a couple of summers ago and the way things are here now is the way I would envisage they should be.

"The manager is very meticulous and everything is carefully planned. The back-up is excellent when he's away with England, with Bill Beswick's input and Steve Harrison working with the players. He is fantastic on the training ground. He's a funny guy, but deadly serious when he has to be.

"The manager has had a good look at the coaching world and he knows that being mentally strong is important. He's a big believer in what Bill has to say.''

Meanwhile, Mustoe's midfield rival Paul Okon has been assured his place in Australia's World Cup play-off plans is safe. Okon has been hampered by injury this season and has started only one Boro game, the 2-0 defeat at Everton nearly six weeks ago. But Socceroos' coach Frank Farina, preparing for the crunch next month when Boro goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer will also be on duty, said: "Paul can do a job even if he's not playing regularly in the Premiership.

"It's not a problem. I've spoken to him and he's fit and battling to get back. He did have an injury, but he's OK now. He told me Middlesbrough had been on a bit of a roll before the Southampton game and the manager was naturally reluctant to change the side.''

* Boro's young Australian keeper Brad Jones is joining League of Ireland side Shelbourne on loan until December.

Read more about the Boro here.