In-form Middlesbrough face two crucial games against bottom-six clubs in the space of four days this week with the relegation pressure still turned full on.

Boro are riding a wave of confidence, after putting together an eight-match unbeaten run, unlike struggling opponents Everton and Manchester City.

But Mark Schwarzer emphasised yesterday the heat is on to emerge from the two tests with positive results.

"We're out of the bottom three but not out of danger," said the giant Aussie. "One or two defeats and we could be right back in it. These two games are six pointers and we just have to beat the teams around us if we're going to be safe."

And Schwarzer, who has kept six clean sheets since the improvement started under Terry Venables, yesterday assured the club he does not want to leave.

Arsenal have been watching the highly-rated keeper as they search for a replacement for veteran David Seaman, now 37. Boro have also turned away inquiries from Manchester United and Liverpool in the past.

"I'm happy here and committed to this club. There's a lot of hard work ahead and I'm just concentrating on that," said the 28-year-old.

Manager Bryan Robson, who signed Schwarzer from Bradford City for £1.5m three years ago, said: "Mark has four years left on his contract and is not leaving. We've had all this before with United but he is just not for sale and that's the end of it."

Boro face battles at Everton tomorrow and against Manchester City at the Riverside on Saturday.

Everton were humiliated by giant-killers Tranmere in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday at Goodison Park and City, though safely in the last 16, have tumbled alarmingly into the bottom three after failing to win in nine Premiership matches.

Meanwhile, Carlos Marinelli is back in training with Boro after damaging ankle ligaments two months ago.

But the 18-year-old Argentinian attacker is still a month away from returning to the first-team squad.

And Irishman Ronnie O'Brien has abandoned his attempt to carve out a career in Serie A.

The midfielder was handed a free transfer by Boro two years ago and - and criticised Robson for letting him go before surprisingly signing a three-year deal with Italian giants Juventus.

But O'Brien is now looking to return to English football and could link up for a trial with Nottingham Forest, after manager David Platt was alerted. Platt has strong links with Italy after spending five years in Serie A but O'Brien has other trial offers in Division One.

l Hull midfielder Thoedore Whitmore has been injured in a car accident in which one of his Jamaican international teammates was killed. Whitmore is 'stable' in hospital following the accident which occurred as the players were travelling to Montego Bay following Jamaica's 0-0 draw with Bulgaria.

Steve Malcolm was killed only hours after he turned out for the Reggae Boyz