TOP scorer Alen Boksic has become his own boss as Middlesbrough battle for Premiership survival.

Boro are desperately looking to the 11-goal Croatian to lead them to safety.

Boksic struck a stunning double in the 2-1 derby triumph over Newcastle United at St James' Park ten days ago.

And head coach Terry Venables admits the former Lazio star, who joined Boro last summer in a £2.5m deal, has been given a free rein in the fight against relegation.

Venables said: "We have tried different things and shaped things around him, but we've let him do what he does best.

"A player like him is a rule unto himself up to a point.

"He's an individual, but there's no doubt he's a class act. I've worked with some good frontmen in my time, and Alen is top drawer.''

Boro had hoped to pair Boksic with £1m new boy Dean Windass in the Tyne-Tees tussle.

But a freak back injury denied Windass his debut and the former Bradford City player is facing a struggle to be fit for Saturday's visit to Chelsea.

Windass, who hurt his back when he threw his kit bag into the boot of his car on the morning of the derby clash, was hopeful of making his Boro bow at Stamford Bridge.

But he was unable to train yesterday, prompting fears that the game may come too soon.

Fourth-bottom Boro are already without skipper Paul Ince, Ugo Ehiogu and Phil Stamp through suspension.

But Chelsea, chasing a European place, have problems of their own, with defender Frank Leboeuf set to miss the rest of the season.

The centre-back is awaiting the results of a scan after suffering a groin injury during France's 5-0 win over 2002 World Cup co-hosts Japan.

Leboeuf said: "You know the risks you take when you play for your national side.

"It's frustrating, though, because there are important games coming up at Chelsea and I expect that the very minimum I will be out is a month."

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