GEORGE BOATENG is desperate to make up for lost time by continuing to turn in the dynamic displays for Middlesbrough that will ensure his World Cup dream remains alive and kicking.

Despite playing just three games since recovering from ankle ligament damage which kept him out for the best part of two months, Boateng has been assured of a place in the Holland squad for a friendly with Ecuador on March 1.

That call-up has renewed the combative midfielder's belief he has a strong chance of forcing his way into Marco van Basten's squad for the Germany finals.

Van Basten, a Dutch legend and European Championships winner in 1988, has chosen to keep Boateng's spirits high by including him for the next game and that has come as a huge relief.

But the Teesside hero, whose return to the Boro side has coincided with a three-game winning run after a dreadful run of just three wins in 13 games, wants his club form to come first.

He suggests if he can keep performances for Steve McClaren at a high standard then van Basten is sure to keep calling him up with time running out before the World Cup curtain rises.

"I received a letter telling me I was in the Dutch squad, which was great news for me, especially as I have been out injured for so long," said the 31-year-old, who only has two previous caps for Holland.

"It shows the manager has obviously got a lot of faith in me, which is very good to know.

"I have the World Cup in the back of my mind, because I have been out for so many weeks. I just need to build up my match fitness and get some games under my belt.

"Only then should I really start to think about the World Cup but, of course, it is great to know that the manager thinks highly of me, enough to put me in his squad even when I am injured.

"Obviously, between now and the end of the season, I want to do all I can for Middlesbrough. If that gets me into the World Cup then that is a bonus. I will be the happiest person in the world.

"There won't be many more World Cups for me so to get there would be very special, but I cannot think ahead of myself."

One man whose goals could have a bearing on whether or not Boateng does eventually travel to the Germany finals is Aiyegbeni Yakubu.

The 18-goal striker's stock rose even higher on Sunday when he grabbed both in the 2-0 win over Preston North End in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

That victory has set up a date with Charlton Athletic in the last eight and Boateng realises that Boro's achievements could have an impact on whether he goes to the finals or not.

With the Teessiders in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and in the driving seat against Stuttgart in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup, Yakubu's goals could ensure Boro go even further.

The Nigerian, a £7.5m signing from Portsmouth, has already repaid a large chunk of his price-tag and Boateng, for one, is not surprised by the powerful forward's ability.

"At Preston Yakubu was getting kicked all over the place and got the crowd on his back," said Boateng. "We told him that the only way he could answer them was to score goals. He did that.

"Yak has been brilliant for us. For a guy who only came here in the summer he has been fantastic.

"A couple of months ago one of our scouts did not want to have a bet that Yak would score 20 goals because he knew he would do it. That's how confident Yak was in himself that he would get 20 goals for us and that was about four months ago.

"He hasn't played every game but what has been good for him is that when he does play he makes his mark."

Such is Boateng's worth to the Boro cause, he is holding out for the best possible contract that he feels he deserves before committing his future to the club.

The former Aston Villa man's existing deal expires in the summer and he is free to talk to potential employers now if he sees fit.

Boateng was in no mood to confirm McClaren's recent claim that negotiations are close to an agreement and wants to focus on the football.

"We are beginning to play some good football again but no-one is denying that it has not been a difficult season," said Boateng, who is likely to play his fourth successive game against Stuttgart on Thursday night.

"We are still in two trophies and we have had some decent results in the league. We know we have got games coming up against West Brom and Birmingham City and they will both be big matches because they are both down at the bottom of the table. We just have to show what we can do with our best players and if we do that, we know we will be fine."

* Boro expect to learn the severity of Fabio Rochemback's ankle injury today.

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