MARK SCHWARZER has demanded a move from Middlesbrough after hearing unofficial word that he was going to be dropped for a recent slump in personal form.

Now the Australian, whose decision has not been coloured by any hint of interest from leading European clubs, faces an uncertain month as his career in World Cup year hangs in the balance.

With no obvious new employer for him to join, Schwarzer and his English-based advisor Barry Silkman have their work cut out in trying to broker a switch before the transfer window closes on January 31.

Having reacted badly to the suggestion he was going to be axed in favour of younger compatriot Brad Jones for today's FA Cup third-round tie with Nuneaton Borough, Schwarzer must now assess his options.

Silkman claimed in a statement yesterday his player would prefer to stay in the Premiership - Arsenal and Manchester United are known to have been keen on his services in the past.

However, Gunners manager Arsene Wenger, when asked if he was interested in signing the Boro keeper, replied: ''No, we already have three keepers and I'm very happy them. So we're not looking for a keeper.''

Schwarzer is also thought to be open to the prospect of plying his trade in either Spain or Italy, although no continental clubs have been credited with interest in the player.

With the possibility of his World Cup place being in doubt if first-team football was not achieved between now and the end of the season, there is also a realistic chance he could backtrack on his initial decision to put in a transfer request.

Boro boss Steve McClaren, who played down the claim there had been a row between the two after Schwarzer's weak punch led to Lee Clark's late leveller in Monday's draw at Newcastle, is not about to rush out and buy a replacement.

McClaren does concede he could have to buy a new goalkeeper but is more than willing to monitor developments and hand Australian Jones the chance to stake his own claim for the shirt in the meantime.

"I was very surprised, very shocked and very disappointed," McClaren said after receiving Schwarzer's request. "Really, it was accepted reluctantly on our behalf.

''But as always, you only want players who are happy here, who want to play for your football club, and Mark has made it known that he wants to move on, so we have reluctantly accepted that.

"He is one of the best goalkeepers around.

"He has hit a bit of an inconsistent patch in terms of form but we can't over-react."

Newcastle's second-choice keeper Steve Harper, Bolton's contract rebel Jussi Jaaskelainen and Chelsea's out-of-favour Carlo Cudicini are all options for McClaren if he did need to find a replacement.

But the Boro boss, for the time being at least, insists his priorities on the transfer front remain a right-back, left-winger and central midfielder - until Schwarzer's future has been mapped out.

''Who knows what's going to happen?" said McClaren.

"This is a reaction that's just come up. It's disappointing and, on reflection, the situation might change. Who knows in the present market?

"It's happened very quickly. We have got a short window in January and we will see what happens. We will obviously have to look around.

"With the possibility that Mark does go in this January window, then we have to have some alternatives."

Schwarzer cost Boro £1.5m in 1997, when Bryan Robson swooped after the keeper impressed at Bradford City.

"He has gone onto make 342 appearances for the Teesside outfit and was rewarded with a three-year extension towards the end of last season.

Silkman admitted his client regrets putting pen to paper on improved terms.

"He just feels it's time to move on," said the agent.

"He's been there eight years, he signed a new contract at the start of the season and I just think he feels that, maybe, it's just time to move on."

As Schwarzer is tied down to the Riverside Stadium until the summer of 2008, Boro, who are looking to strengthen their spending power during the next month by offloading old faces, would be looking to recoup at least £2m.

Such a fee would help Boro to step up efforts to try to land the likes of Sporting Lisbon winger Rudolph Douala or Wigan's Jimmy Bullard.

One player who could be out of Boro before Schwarzer is defender Ugo Ehiogu.

McClaren confirmed last night his predeccesor, Bryan Robson, has made a firm bid to land Ehiogu - a player Robson paid £8m for in 2000.

The experienced centre-back, who started as a trainee at the Hawthorns, has found himself behind Gareth Southgate and Chris Riggott in the pecking order this season.

And now, provided the two clubs can come to an agreement, he will be on his way back to his first club before the end next week.

For the time being at least, McClaren will continue to keep the players he has made available for transfer involved with the squad.

That means Schwarzer will be on the bench at Manor Park today for an intriguing FA Cup tie with Boro bidding to stop a poor run of form becoming even worse.

Nuneaton, of Conference North, are five leagues down the football ladder in relation to Boro and will be in giant-killing mood in front of their own supporters.

Both Steve Round, assistant to McClaren, and Boro striker Malcolm Christie have played for Nuneaton in the past.

McClaren said: "To win the Cup you have to play at all sorts of grounds in all sorts of games, and this is one of them that has been thrown up.

"I remember Yeading v Newcastle last season was a tough game for Newcastle, and we expect an equally tough game against Nuneaton.

"We will treat them with the utmost respect. We have prepared in the same way as we would if we were playing Chelsea or Manchester United."

Nuneaton's players are calling on fan power and the elements to help them.

Manager Roger Ashby said: ''We're going to have to work extremely hard because they're going to bring a team full of internationals. It's going to be difficult but all I'm asking is for the players and the fans to give their best because we're expecting a full house here.''

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