Alun Armstrong yesterday turned down a move to Crystal Palace and vowed to fight for his future at Middlesbrough.

Palace want the 25-year-old Geordie on loan but, after talks with Boro manager Bryan Robson he said: "I'm not interested in going anywhere on loan."

Instead, he intends to fight for a first-team place with the club's six other front men.

"I've seen reports that I'm on the transfer list and I've asked the boss about it this morning," he said.

"He's assured me that's not the case and he doesn't know where it's come from.

"I don't want to leave. I'm fit and free of injury for the first time in two years and I want to win a place in the side here.

"It's going to be exciting and I want to be part of it. After two nightmare years I'm just desperate to play."

Armstrong has had three operations for back and achilles problems since his goals shot Boro to automatic promotion three seasons ago.

"I was 23 and scoring goals and suddenly I was 25 and forgotten.

"But the pre-season has gone well and now I'm ready to battle for a place here.

"Things might change if I don't play.

"I might consider going to a good club, depending on the circumstances, but that's in the future," he added.

The former Newcastle forward, who spent the end of last season on loan at Huddersfield Town, is hoping Boro start with three strikers at Coventry tomorrow.

Alen Boksic looks certain to play after impressing in training, despite being behind with pre-season preparation, and leading scorer Hamilton Ricard is likely to claim another place.

If there is a third option, it will be between Armstrong, Andy Campbell, Noel Whelan, Brian Deane and 22-year-old Joseph Job.

"We did well away from home with three strikers last season and there is more scope for us to play like that now," said Robson.

"We are definitely stronger in midfield and up front."

Job has also made an impression in training but admitted yesterday he had no idea about what is required in Premiership.

"All I know is that it will be physical. Beyond that I don't know much about it but I'm looking forwad to finding out," he said.

lCraig Bellamy yesterday completed his £6.5million move to Coventry from Norwich and then urged Sky Blues fans not to compare him to Robbie Keane.

City chairman Bryan Richardson has highlighted the similarities between the two young stars, but Bellamy, who will make his debut against Boro on Saturday, feels he is very much his own man.

He said: ''I don't care about Robbie Keane, I am my own player with very clear ambitions about what I want to achieve in football.