Hard work is only key to Middlesbrough survival

Australian international Schwarzer endorsed the views of former Boro teammate Alun Armstrong, who called into question the workrate and effort of key players in Monday's home defeat by high-flying Ipswich.

Striker Armstrong was the architect of Boro's downfall, grabbing the goals which inflicted a damaging 2-1 setback.

Ex-Boro skipper Tony Mowbray, Ipswich's first-team coach, backed Armstrong's assessment and singled out French midfielder Christian Karembeu and Croatian striker Alen Boksic for criticism.

Schwarzer said: "You've got to be honest. If you look at Ipswich as a team, they work as hard as anyone.

"If you compared the sides on Monday, you'd have to say their workrate was better and that could be one of the factors behind why we've struggled this season.

"We've got players who have played at massive clubs throughout their careers and never been in a situation like this.

"They've been involved in other types of fights for championships and the like.

"But the pressure is still the same fundamentally. You're still trying to succeed, whether it's to stay in the league or win the league.

"There's no doubt that, individually, we have the ability to stay up. It's just a case of whether we can do it collectively.

"We need to show character. Sometimes nerves creep in with some players more than others, but we've just got to cope with the pressure.''

Fourth-bottom Boro, only two points clear of the relegation zone, visit Leicester today with Schwarzer insisting: "This is the most important game so far this season. We've got to go for a win.

"We're still confident we'll stay up. Our away form has been good and we want to keep that going.

"There's not the same pressure away from home. We feel we don't have anything to lose and we just go out and play.

"But at home we don't do things as well as we do away. At home you have the added pressure of the supporters expecting you to attack and we haven't done that very well at all this season.

"The fans get frustrated and that transmits to the players. Some players can deal with it, but there are a lot who can't.

"When Terry Venables arrived and we put together that 12-game unbeaten run, we hoped we could continue like that and build up a gap between ourselves and the bottom three, but we haven't done that.

"The good thing is we've got four games to go and we're still above the drop zone. Coventry are the side who worry us most. They're the in-form team down there and John Hartson is on fire; he's had a big influence on their results.

"I think we could possibly be safe with another four points, but things are changing from week to week.''

While Australia have rattled up cricket scores in recent World Cup qualifiers, establishing an international record with their 31-0 win over American Samoa, Schwarzer can only think of Premiership survival.

"I link up with the Australia squad at the end of May for the Confederation Cup in South Korea,'' said Schwarzer. "Then, in June, we face New Zealand home and away in the World Cup.

"I want to stake my claim and I'm confident, but I'm not thinking that far ahead.

"The main thing is for us to stay in the Premier League. Once we assure ourselves of survival, then I can look forward to playing in the national side.

"Terry had a very big impact on football in Australia when he was in charge a few years ago. His appointment put Australia on the football map worldwide.

"Unfortunately we didn't qualify for the World Cup. That was the main goal and something Australia needed to do, and needs to do now, to have any recognition.''

l Boro yesterday recalled striker Andy Campbell from his loan spell with Bolton.

Campbell, who was 22 on Wednesday, was expected to stay with the First Division promotion-chasers until the end of the season.

But he linked up with the Boro squad for the trip to Leicester and manager Bryan Robson said: "We need him back with us now."

The loan of centre-back Christian Hanson, 19, to Second Division Cambridge United, has been extended to May 5.

l Liverpool have joined the race for Middlesbrough target Niklas Nordgren.

Kristianstad manager Stefan Olsen confirmed the 16-year-old Swedish midfield starlet had talks with Boro, but that rival interest has emerged from Anfield.

Olsen said: "He is on loan to us from a side in the Sixth Division in Sweden and is meant to stay for half a season - he has only been training with us for one month.

"He is out of contract in the summer, though, and we cannot stop him going.

"Liverpool and Malmo are also interested, but he was over in Middlesbrough last month for one week. He was also at Tottenham last October and trained with them.

"I don't think he is ready to move to England - he is too young - but his father may want him to.

"We play in the second division and he is not even in our first team, so it would be better if he stayed in Sweden for a year or two more.''

Read more about the Boro here.