GARY PALLISTER has lost his fight to be fit for the climax of Middlesbrough's struggle against relegation.

The 35-year-old former England centre-back, sidelined for five months after undergoing surgery for a chronic back problem, had hoped to play again before the end of the season.

But Boro head coach Terry Venables yesterday admitted: "Pally has upped his training, but I don't think he'll be back this season.''

With injury-hit Boro facing a defensive crisis, Pallister would have been an invaluable addition to the squad.

Steve Vickers and Colin Cooper are struggling to be fit for tomorrow's crucial game at Leicester, while Jason Gavin and Keith O'Neill are also under treatment.

Curtis Fleming and Gianluca Festa have already been ruled out.

Right-back Robbie Stockdale, who hasn't started a first-team game since scoring in the 1-1 draw with Watford in the final home game of last season, has been drafted into the squad.

Meanwhile, Boro skipper Paul Ince insists that Premiership survival holds the key to any hope of a lasting managerial partnership between Venables and boss Bryan Robson.

"I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Terry stays,'' said Ince. "We were in a bad situation before he came and no-one could see us getting out of it.

"But he got the lads organised and they learned a lot from him. I think we've got to stay in the Premiership for him to stay here.

"He says football is like a drug, and it's hard to pack your bags and walk away.

"When we are safe, he will talk to people at the club.

"Robbo was a great player and he's a great man. Terry and Bryan worked well together with England at Euro '96 and if Terry stayed it could work.

"Liverpool tried joint managers with Gerard Houllier and Roy Evans and it never got off the ground, but the partnership here works.''

* Terry Venables is backing Leicester boss Peter Taylor to stop the rot at Filbert Street - after tomorrow's clash.

The Foxes have lost their last seven games, but Venables said: "Peter will turn it around - and that's what worries me!

"I know him well from my Palace days and he's done very well. He's already involved in the England set-up. Sven-Goran Eriksson seems to rely on him and Steve McClaren quite heavily.

"Peter is in the fold and he's already done a good job with England Under-21s.

"Now comes the test after he's lost a few games at Leicester. He has to keep his head still and he's sensible enough to do that.

"I don't think him being involved with England has had a detrimental effect on Leicester. It's good for the club and it gives him a kudos.''

* Boro are in talks with 16-year-old Swede Niklas Nordgren, a midfield starlet with Kristianstad.

And, as already reported in Echo Sport, Boro are keeping tabs on Brighton striker Bobby Zamora, who is also attracting attention from Sunderland.

* Arsenal's Lee Canoville has joined Middlesbrough on trial.

The 20-year-old defender, a former England Youth international, played for Boro Reserves in Wednesday's 1-1 home draw with Aston Villa