MIDDLESBROUGH'S crack Croatian striker Alen Boksic has been bracketed with Brazilian superstar Ronaldo.

The accolade comes from Boro's Australian international midfielder Paul Okon, who was also a teammate of Boksic with Italian giants Lazio.

Okon has witnessed Boksic's fearsome finishing in Serie A and the Premiership, and underlined the threat the 11-goal marksman poses to Chelsea's impressive home record this afternoon.

"He's done tremendously well here and he's now close to what he was when Juventus signed him from Lazio in '96," said the Socceroos' skipper.

"On his day, I think he's as good as Ronaldo at his best. I've watched him, in training and in games, tear people apart. He has that ability - he's world class."

Silent assassin Boksic, who consistently refuses media interviews, won the derby at Newcastle two weeks ago with a double strike - his first goals in seven Premiership games.

And Okon warned: "He's a quiet sort of guy and had a little spell when he went close but didn't score. When he's scoring he's happy and I think he's enjoying the Premiership right now.

"He has had one or two injury problems but he works so hard, before and after training in the gym, day in and day out, to keep himself fit."

Okon could be handed a vital job at Stamford Bridge, taking over in central midfield from skipper Paul Ince, who starts a two-match ban.

"I've no idea if that will happen but it's a big blow losing him," he added. "We've just all got to work harder."

After today, fourth-bottom Boro face the top four clubs in the next five games.

"We're in this position because of our results in the first four months,'' said Okon. "We're paying the price for that.

"We've just got to keep getting points and hope it's enough. The motivation is not the money the Premiership means to the club - the players want the fans to forgive us for the start of the season."

Okon joked: "A relegation fight is a new experience for me - but I've had so many injuries that playing regularly is also a new experience."

Former Fiorentina player Okon, who joined Boro last summer on a Bosman free, has been cleared to miss Australia's initial World Cup qualifiers next month.

Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer is in the same position, and Okon said: "Our coach, Frank Farina, has done me and a lot of other players over here favours by leaving us out.

"We should win the group but if there is a hiccup there will be questions asked back home about not fielding the strongest side.

"He has to take credit for understanding the needs of the players here."

Boro head coach Terry Venables, formerly boss of the Aussies, said: "It's a no-win situation.

"It hurts Paul not to be there but it would hurt him not to be here for the run-in."

Venables takes Boro back to his first club today, confessing: "I love the way Chelsea play.

"If I was living there, I'd probably have a season ticket.

"They have a lot of good players. I don't know much about Claudio Ranieri, but I'm told he's a good coach, so it should all work out for them in the end."

As well as Ince, Boro are also without defender Ugo Ehiogu and midfielder Phil Stamp through suspension.

New £1m attacker Dean Windass is likely to make his debut if he can throw off the lingering effects of the back injury which denied him his Boro bow against Newcastle.

Wing-back Keith O'Neill is available after completing a three-match ban and overcoming a back problem of his own.

But right-back Curtis Fleming is doubtful with the toe injury he sustained while on duty with the Republic of Ireland.

Read more about the Boro here.