MIDDLESBROUGH'S Mark Viduka has received the ultimate compliment from manager Steve McClaren who hailed the 29-year-old as his 'number one striker'.

The Australia international appeared to be on his way out of the Riverside in the summer with Newcastle boss Graeme Souness seemingly determined to land the targetman.

After a season beset by injury following his £4.5m capture from Leeds in the summer of 2004, Boro could have been forgiven for attempting to cash in on a player who managed only 21 appearances last term.

But with £7.5m man Yakubu nursing a heel injury which required eight stitches in the 2-0 defeat at Spurs on Saturday, Viduka is a likely starter at Birmingham City tomorrow night - his first start since he limped off against Crystal Palace after just 12 minutes in April.

And for 45 minutes on Saturday he showed the quality he still has to offer McClaren's side with his hold up play and clever lay-offs creating numerous chances his team-mates just couldn't finish.

McClaren was keen to lavish praise on the player, despite the 2-0 defeat, saying: "He's our number one striker. For a half a season last season he was magnificent for us.

"He was injured the rest of the time. We've nursed him through in pre-season - eased him in - given him 20, 25 minutes last week and 45 minutes this weekend.

"He's a major player for us and you saw today why. He hasn't played 90 minutes yet but he's well on his way."

Viduka only got his chance to shine after Yakubu - seen by many as his replacement - was kicked by Spurs centre-back Michael Dawson in an off the ball incident.

Referee Martin Atkinson failed to punish the Northallerton-born defender and, as midfielder George Boateng admitted, he was one of many surprised by the decision.

"It's amazing the referee did not give him a card. I've seen people sent off for things like that - it's a reaction," said Boateng.

"Yakubu has eight stitches in his heel. People underestimate sometimes the physical side of the game and how tough it is out there.

"I don't know which card he should have had but it was amazing to me he did not receive a card of any colour. If I were to do that then it would be all over the papers the day after.

"After eight stitches it will be amazing to see him play in midweek but you never know."

If Yakubu is missing tomorrow, Boateng has no doubt Viduka is more than capable of stepping in to fill the gap.

"When Viduka came on he was strong, he held the ball up and the competition in attack is very stiff," said Boateng.

"He created chances for Stewart Downing which he should have scored and Stewart admitted that afterwards."