MIDDLESBROUGH lynchpin Ugo Ehiogu has revealed his determination not to fight a second successive relegation battle.

And the £8m man, who makes his return to Premiership action at home to West Ham this weekend after a one-match suspension, insists the team spirit in the camp will see them come good.

Boro have lost their opening four top-flight matches, but Ehiogu is adamant he will not be part of a squad struggling against the drop.

"It won't happen again through hard work and because we won't let it happen," said the 28-year-old.

"I'm sure it will be just a matter of time but it's important that we stick together. There's no one man who will make a difference, it will be a collective thing."

Boro last night denied they had taken French defender David di Tommaso on trial. According to sources in France, £850,000-rated di Tommaso arrived on Teesside late on Tuesday night and was due to start training yesterday with Steve McClaren's men.

The 22-year-old's club Sedan, who play in the French top-flight, insisted: "He is flying to England we believe. He is going to Middlesbrough for a trial."

But a Riverside spokesperson said: "He is definitely not on trial with us." Since McClaren's failed bid to sign Everton defender Michael Ball, the former Manchester United number two has been linked with a host of other left-backs. Centre-back Colin Cooper has been playing in that role and 17-year-old David Murphy impressed on his debut against Northampton in Boro's Worthington Cup victory.

But with Murphy regarded as "one for the future" by his boss, McClaren is still in search of new blood to fill that position.

Meanwhile, McClaren will hear how successful Boro's appeal to have a work permit granted for striker Benni McCarthy is by early next week. Boro and McCarthy's club, Celta Vigo, have come to an agreement over the South African, believed to be a loan move until the end of the season.

* Middlesbrough have had to rearrange the fixture at Chelsea for Sunday, September 23 (kick-off 4pm), after UEFA's decision to postpone all Champions League and UEFA Cup fixtures scheduled to take place yesterday and today.

* Boro reserves' clash with Newcastle United has been brought forward and will now take place next Wednesday at the Riverside (kick-off 7pm).

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