MARK VIDUKA was smiling last night after being confirmed as Australia's World Cup captain, but at club level the Middlesbrough striker admits he does not know what the future holds.

Viduka has a year to run on the contract he signed at the Riverside Stadium when he completed a £4.5m switch from Leeds in July 2004 and has accepted he could be heading back to his home country when that deal expires.

Boro's search for Steve McClaren's successor is also not helping matters and the powerful striker has revealed the feeling of uncertainty sweeping through the Riverside playing staff.

Viduka, who lives in North Yorkshire, expects to remain in the North-East next season but has revealed a desire to return to Australia to play in the rejuvenated A-League before he retires.

And, speaking from Australia where he has joined up with the rest of the Socceroos squad, the 30-year-old said: "I have a contract there for one more year and in football terms a year is not a long time.

"It's going to be either a time when I change clubs or stay again because in six months' time I could sign for anybody for free.

"When I come and see this weather (in Australia), I'd make the move straight away! I don't know (about when I'll return).

"In my career, however long I've got left, I want to enjoy it.

"Go out in every game and play like when I was a little kid - enjoy every single moment. Whether that's for two years, three years, five years, whether that's here (in Australia) or somewhere else. But eventually I'd like to come back here and give it a go."

From today, and until after the World Cup, Viduka is only going to focus on international matters and his determination has been made stronger by being named skipper.

Australia coach Hiddink, who is due to take over Russia after the finals, had been toying between the Boro forward and Newcastle defender Craig Moore for the role.

But the Dutchman opted for Viduka after he showed what the honour means to him when he was captain for the play-off win over Uruguay at the back end of last year.

"Everybody wants to lead their country out, whether that's in my sport or any sport. It's a great honour and I loved being that in the last few games. I will love to be, of course," said Viduka, who will be the first captain to lead out an Australian side at a World Cup since 1974.

Australia take on European champions Greece in a friendly in Melbourne on Thursday and start their World Cup campaign with a date with Japan on June 12.

Strangely it is one of Viduka's former Australia managers who could be taking over at Boro this summer.

Terry Venables, who was Down Under for the failed World Cup qualifiers in 1998, had further talks with Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson over the weekend and is awaiting a decision.

Venables said: "It is extremely flattering to be offered this opportunity. A lot excites me about going back. But I'm 63 and I have to think if I'm prepared to commit myself to full-time Premiership football."

A frustrating factor for Gibson is that Venables is involved in a much-publicised charity match - Soccer Aid - all this week, which could delay things.

Celebrities and ex-footballers from around the world are battling it out to play in an England versus World XI on Saturday at Old Trafford.

Venables is managing an English side that is being skippered by pop star Robbie Williams and will include Paul Gascoigne, John Barnes and David Seaman.

And Gibson is hoping the former England chief will tell him one way or another by the middle of this week. If Venables does turn the job down then Boro could have to turn to Alan Curbishley or Tony Mowbray. Iain Dowie's name could emerge again as he is expected to leave Crystal Palace at some stage today.

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