MIDDLESBROUGH may be struggling at the wrong end of the Premiership, but Lee Cattermole believes it won't be long before the Teessiders are challenging for a top six spot.

Ahead of Monday night's visit to Fulham, Boro are lying 15th, only three places and three points above third-bottom West Ham United.

The festive period has traditionally triggered a reversal of fortunes for Boro and it is imperative Gareth Southgate's team get something at Craven Cottage before taking all three points when second-bottom Charlton visit the Riverside next week.

Victories against the pair would drag the Cottagers into the mire and create breathing space between the Addicks and the bottom three, before Boro tackle tricky games at Everton and Blackburn over Christmas.

Yet a bullish Cattermole insisted a relegation battle is not on the agenda. "We're trying to be positive and we're not even thinking about that," admitted the 18-year-old.

"We're trying to push into the top half. That is where we belong. We want to challenging the likes of Everton, who are in the top six. Our league form has not been the best but we're hoping it is going to pick up over the Christmas period. We have a lot of winnable games."

Most Boro supporters expected to be performing a lot better this season, considering the improvements made to the squad and without the distraction of the UEFA Cup.

Although there have been two or three injury setbacks this term, they have not been on the scale of last season.

Cattermole was one of several of the club's teenage and reserve players to gain valuable first team experience as a consequence of Steve McClaren's injury-hit squad last year. He has not looked back since starring on his debut at Newcastle.

But the teenager believes Boro may be under-performing because some of the club's younger stars still need time to develop.

He said: "We have a new manager and there are a lot of young lads at the club.

"I always go back to David Beckham, who was sent out on loan (to Preston) when he was 20.

"We have lads who are still learning their trade. It is not easy. We obviously have some experienced players around us but it is obviously tough.

"It is frustrating not getting the results but at the same time I'm enjoying playing football in the Premiership.

"The lads are confident and their spirits have never gone down, even when we were thrashed by Portsmouth.

"We need to put some performances together. This is a massive period over Christmas. It is good in a way as we have a lot of chances to pick up some points."

l Brazilian side Flamengo have signed former Middlesbrough midfielder Juninho.

The 33-year-old had a loan spell at Flamengo in 2002, scoring 14 goals in 28 appearances.