STEVE ROUND believes Middlesbrough can reap the rewards from Mark Viduka this season as the Australian captain can use the domestic stage to enhance his World Cup aspirations.

Viduka will lead his country out in Germany next summer after helping the Socceroos qualify for the finals last month.

But, between now and June, the 30-year-old can hone his preparations on Teesside, according to Middlesbrough's recently-appointed assistant manager.

After an indifferent first season with Boro, in which Viduka struggled for fitness and form, following his £4.5m move from Leeds United, the forward is finally beginning to win over his critics.

Viduka's commitment has been questioned, but, after scoring his seventh goal of the season against Crystal Palace on Tuesday night, Round insisted: "Mark has always had that hunger and drive."

Despite stepping up as Steve McClaren's right-hand man at the beginning of the season, Round has continued with his role as Boro's attacking coach, working closely with Viduka among others.

"I've been very impressed with his professionalism in training," added Round. "He really works hard every day he trains.

"There may be, over the course of this year, a quality focus from him because he's going to the World Cup. It's a big year for him and that can only benefit Middlesbrough Football Club."

As well as Viduka's re-emergence this season, the £7.5m arrival of Yakubu has provided a welcome attacking strength in depth Boro desperately lacked last year.

Between them, Viduka (seven), Yakubu (nine) and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (four) share 20 of the Teessiders' 29 goals.

"You are always striving for competition for places and we've got three strikers who are doing that," said Round. "We've played so many games that it's always going to be competitive.

"We knew last season that our squad was a bit short. We lost Mark Viduka for a long spell and the goals dried up. Jimmy was on his own a lot and we knew we needed to add more firepower.

"We're competing in four competitions and we've just played our fourth game in 11 days. We have to rotate, we have to get fresh players in and we can always put a strong strike force out."

McClaren is likely to give Hasselbaink the nod to face former club Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tomorrow. However, Szilard Nemeth is unlikely to make the trip to west London after pulling up with a hamstring problem shortly after scoring against Palace.

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