INJURED Tony McMahon wants Middlesbrough to waltz through the UEFA Cup's group stage, so he can play his own part in winning the club's first major European trophy.

McMahon watched Tuesday's draw with great interest.

But he knows he will struggle to return from a serious shoulder problem before the final Group D fixture against Litex Lovec on December 15.

The 19-year-old is convinced, however, that Boro will be able to qualify for the last 32 of the competition and feels there is every chance they could be lifting their first piece of Euro sliverware come May.

Boro need to finish in the top three of a group which also includes Grasshoppers of Zurich, Dnipro of the Ukraine and Holland's AZ Alkmaar.

McMahon, whose last game for Boro was during the UEFA Cup defeat at Sporting Lisbon in March, insists there is nothing to fear.

"It would be hugely disappointing if we didn't get through from this group," he said. "There are no easy games but we should get through.

"Every team that enters this competition wants to win it and I don't see why we can't win the UEFA Cup. With the squad we have here we can do it."

Ideally McMahon would love to make an appearance before the group stage is over but knows the timing of his return is crucial.

The teenager from Evenwood has had to make do with playing Pro Evolution Soccer on his Playstation and watching DVDs as he waits for the injury to heal.

McMahon - likely to be back after Christmas - had an operation on his shoulder problem in the summer and feels it could not have come at a worse time.

His first full campaign as a member of Steve McClaren's squad was nearing an end and he was beginning to look forward to trying to make more than the 12 league starts he made last season.

And McMahon, the FA Youth Cup winning captain of 2003, said: "A date has not been put on my comeback. I have had major surgery and I don't want it to recur.

"I want to make sure it's 100 per cent right so I will have to wait and see whether I can make that last game. It would be great if I could, but I'll just have to wait and see.

"No player wants to be injured and I'm upset about it. But I know that these times will improve and I have to work hard and make sure I get back soon.

"I thought I would have gone on from last season but this injury has held me back.

"There will be time left and hopefully I can force my way back into the team well before the end of the season."