COLIN Cooper is hoping Middlesbrough can continue their unbeaten start to the season and bring high-flying Leeds crashing down to earth today.

David O'Leary's side go to the Riverside Stadium bursting with confidence after booking their place in the lucrative Champions League group stages.

They are also the only Premiership side with a 100 per cent record after starting with a 2-0 opening day victory over Everton.

But although Cooper is a big admirer of the Yorkshire side, he believes Boro are also beginning to show they can be a side which can compete with the top sides this season.

They are sitting proudly at the top of the table after victory over Coventry and a draw against Spurs in midweek.

"It's quite nice isn't it?" said centre-back Cooper. "But it's so early and we have to make sure we now stay up there.

"Our aim this season was to be in the top six and it's possible. We feel we have a squad now which can compete with the others.

"It's all about making that next step after being in mid-table last season and that's what we are aiming for.

"We have made a solid start, but have to continue it now and Leeds is going to be a test for us and show us how far we have come and have to go.

"They are a talented side as they proved last season and so far this season. Their win over 1860 Munich to reach the Champions League was tremendous and shows what quality David O'Leary has there.

"We know it's going to be a tough game, but it's a challenge against the top sides because ultimately that's where we want to be.

"Leeds made that step up and that's what we want to do."

Cooper is ready for a Boro recall today after shrugging off the thigh injury which caused him to miss Tuesday night's 1-1 draw with Spurs.

And he is relishing the chance to face the Leeds striking hot-shots of Alan Smith, Michael Bridges and £6m summer signing Mark Viduka.

"They are all quality players who can score goals so we are going to have to be on top of our game," said the 33-year-old.

"I watched Viduka when he was at Celtic last season and he is a big man, but with a great touch and knows where the goal is.

"Michael Bridges is of a similar mould with the same great touch. He had a fantastic last season considering he came down from Sunderland with a lot of expectations, but he handled it really well.

"Alan Smith has also shown he has come back to his best form with four goals in the first three games.

"We're just glad Harry Kewell is out through injury. He is a great player and was my Player of the Year last season. Any side would miss him, but Leeds have so many players who are capable of causing teams problems."

But Cooper also knows Boro have a side which can cause Leeds trouble, especially up front with Alen Boksic, Joseph-Desire Job, former Leeds strikers Brian Deane and Noel Whelan, Hamilton Ricard and Andy Campbell all pushing for a place.

Croatian hitman Boksic grabbed a double on his debut at Coventry and is hoping to recover from groin and back injuries to face Leeds, and Cooper admitted: "He is different class.

"We really didn't know what to expect when he came here because we had heard all these reports about his injury problems, but he has worked hard and shown what quality he has.

"It's tremendous for us when you look at the forwards we have now and all of them are capable of doing well.

"Last season we drew 0-0 with Leeds at the Riverside and it was one of the best goalless draws I have ever played in.

"Leeds are one of the only top teams we haven't beaten since we returned to the Premiership and it would be nice to end that run."

l CONGRATULATIONS to John Allison, of Newton Aycliffe, who has won a pair of tickets to the Boro clash against Leeds today after answering that Joseph-Desire Job scored the first goal of the new season for the Teessiders.