AUSTRALIAN international Paul Okon insists Middlesbrough fans have yet to see the best of him,.

Midfielder Okon, signed last summer on a Bosman free from Italian giants Fiorentina, said: "I'm getting closer and closer to my best form with every game.

"But with not having played week in, week out for nearly three years because of injuries, it means I probably won't reach full fitness until next season."

Okon's injury-jinx struck again within weeks of him joining Boro when he broke a foot in the home game against Leeds in August and was out for almost four months.

But he has since missed only one game and become a key figure in Boro's struggle for Premiership survival.

Okon, 28, has shown great fortitude before, recovering from a serious knee injury which placed his career in jeopardy.

That was four years ago when Boro head coach Terry Venables was in charge of the Australian national side.

Venables recalled: "Paul was with the Australia squad when I was there, but he couldn't play because of his knee.

"To come back from that injury, which was career-threatening, is absolutely amazing.''

Okon, who had a spell with Lazio before joining Fiorentina, is now revelling in a relatively injury-free run in the Premiership.

"My first season has been exciting,'' he admitted.

"Going to places like Anfield, Old Trafford and Highbury - among others - is what all footballers dream about.

"Hopefully we can avoid relegation and work hard for the new season to make it a success."

Boro's bid to avoid the drop received a massive boost with the 2-1 derby victory at Newcastle a week ago.

"It was a fantastic victory after going more than two months without a win," said Okon.

"There's now a four-point gap between us and the bottom three and hopefully it will stay like that right through to the end of the season.

"The result meant a lot to the players, management and the fans because it was Middlesbrough's first win against Newcastle in the Premier League.

"The North-East people love their football and it's great to play in front of so many passionate supporters."

Okon also has one eye on Australia's World Cup qualifying campaign, which kicks off next month.

Socceroos' coach Frank Farina has won praise from Okon for allowing players plying their trade overseas to miss the start of the campaign and see out end-of-season club commitments.

Okon faces a hectic close-season with Australia and confirmed: "I've spoken to the club about the World Cup campaign.

"Availability of players in Europe depends on good organisation and I think Frank Farina has done marvellously well under the circumstances."