CROATIAN ace Alen Boksic is gearing up for a crack at glory with Middlesbrough.

The 31-year-old striker looks to have finally rid himself of the injury problems which plagued him in his early months on Teesside.

Boksic has spelled out his desire to fire relegation-threatened Boro to Premiership safety - and the first major trophy in their history.

And head coach Terry Venables reckons the £2.5m capture from Lazio is coming into form at the right time.

First Division Wimbledon visit the Riverside Stadium tonight in the fourth round of the FA Cup, and Venables declared: "I think we are starting to see the best of Boksic now.

"He's an outstanding player who is known very well in Italy, but I feel he should have been known better around the world because he is that good.

"I think he's an exceptional player when he's on song. He has had a few injuries, but I think we have ironed out the major problems now.

"He's been performing very well. When we were playing with virtually one up front, he did well for us and scored vital goals. I've been very pleased with him.

"He's driven to win something and he's very happy here. He's pleased with himself at the moment. That what you want from all the players.

"I think we've got good spirit in the side and that's something we have to have to match Wimbledon.''

Nine-goal Boksic, whose persistent knee and hamstring niggles persuaded him to hang up his international boots and concentrate on his career with Boro, believes a trophy is on the horizon.

He said: "We've got very good players here and we can win something for this club in the next few years. That's what I came here to do.

"I'm very happy here, I'm settled and I'm enjoying the football, particularly now that we are not losing.

"But the first thing is to stay in the Premiership.''

Venables agreed: "The FA Cup is very important, but we've got a job on our hands in the league and that's the priority.

"We've improved, but I can't deal with any expectations. They're not my expectations. My only expectations are to try to win games.''

Wimbledon are 14 points adrift of a play-off place, but Venables is backing them to make the end-of-season shake-up.

The Dons, who knocked Boro out of the Worthington Cup with a disputed John Hartson penalty at Selhurst Park, have claimed eight League victories on their travels this season, but won only twice in their division at home.

"They've always been a tough away side and they can give you problems,'' warned Venables.

"Terry Burton is experienced. He's a good coach and is under-rated. They've had to bring in money and re-address after being relegated.

"But I don't think they're out of the play-offs yet. They're the sort of side who can come strong at the end of the season.

"I think they've got a good chance of going up, even though it might not look like it at the moment.

"They still play a direct game and they can mix it up. They've got good aerial value and we'll have to be on our game.

"I'm under no illusion about how difficult this game is going to be. They've picked up some big scalps in their time - they've done it once already this season by beating us.''

Transfer-listed Boro defender Gianluca Festa is set to step in for Steve Vickers, who has suffered an abdominal injury.

Festa still seems determined to leave Boro, but Venables said: "I think he's focused enough to do a job for us. He's a very good professional.''

The winners of the tie visit Second Division Wycombe, conquerors of Wolves, a week on Saturday.

Boro (from): Schwarzer; Fleming, Ehiogu, Cooper, Festa, O'Neill, Karembeu, Ince, Okon, Boksic, Ricard, Mustoe, Whelan, Gordon, Campbell, Stamp, Hudson, Crossley.