STEVE McClaren last night hit back at accusations he was touting himself for the England post and those who say the Premiership has lost its sparkle.

Ahead of Middlesbrough's derby clash with Sunderland tomorrow the Boro boss has once again been linked with taking over from current manager Sven Goran Eriksson this week after admitting he still harbours long-term ambitions to manage the national side.

But McClaren last night dismissed the speculative comments he made and pledged his immediate future to the Riverside club after revealing he has been offered a new four-year deal to remain on Teesside by chairman Steve Gibson - which he intends to sign.

"You cannot say I'll be here for the next 20 or 25 years, I do not think that is possible,'' said McClaren.

"Let's be realistic and let's get some perspective into all these quotes and people saying 'McClaren for this' and 'McClaren for that'.

"My job is here at Middlesbrough Football Club. I have made a commitment with the chairman over the summer for another four years at this club. That is done and dusted as far as I am concerned, it's been put to bed.

"All I am waiting for is the club to present the contract in front of me and I will gladly sign it.

"We have agreed everything and that is it. At the present moment, the England manager is the England manager until 2008, so it is one of those that people are speculating on as normal and putting two and two together and getting six."

This week's football vox pop reveals that the Premiership is in a current state of flux, with falling attendances and accusations of boring football high on the critics' agenda.

The Teessiders have suffered more than their fair share of criticism regarding these two issues. Supporters have been voicing their dissatisfaction on Boro's recent performances with their feet.

Only 14,191 fans turned out to watch the club's 2-0 triumph over FC Xanthi in the UEFA Cup last week, while little over 28,000 turned out to watch Boro defeat FA Cup winners and Premier League runners up Arsenal 2-1 the week before - 7,000 down on the official capacity.

McClaren believes that TV saturation could hold some responsibility for the recent decline but backed the Premiership to bounce back stronger.

He said: "We only look at Middlesbrough and yes, our crowds have dipped and dropped and many people have said against Xanthi it was a disappointing attendance, but there are reasons for that.

''It is only a slight dip and I am sure they will come to see us when things pick up.

''There is a lot of TV saturation in football at the present moment. I could have sat in every night this week and watched a football match, and a very good football match, if I wanted to, and that could kill it.

''But all I would say is nothing beats the real thing, nothing beats going to a football match, nothing beats the atmosphere of actually being at the event.

''It is like me buying a DVD of a U2 concert and watching it in my armchair on the TV screen. I went to Amsterdam to watch them and being there, the real thing, is much, much better, and I think fans will eventually get back to that.

''We need them here at Middlesbrough on Sunday to see the real thing.

"Not only do we need that, but the players need it. We need the support because it is only with their support that this club can go forward.

''The game as a whole in the Premier League is still there. It has still got the players, it has still got the excitement, it has still got the quality. People are making a mountain out of a molehill. I think the standard of the game is still there and the excitement will never go away."

The Boro boss is banking on Sunderland's visit to the Riverside tomorrow to put the sparkle back into their recent indifferent performances and appealed to supporters to get behind the club.

McClaren admitted he 'loves local derbys' and says he is delighted the Black Cats have joined Boro and Newcastle back in the Premiership

He said: "I am so pleased Sunderland are back in the Premier League and congratulations to Mick (McCarthy) for getting them back in.

"They've got a good squad and have all the right ingredients but haven't had that bit of luck needed.

"They should have had their first win last week.

"It's a fight for survival (for them) and I'm sure they'll succeed but hopefully the run will start after Sunday.

"We need a full house on Sunday and it is the type of games we relish."

Read more about Middlesbrough here.