FABIO ROCHEMBACK has dismissed interest from Portugal by declaring his commitment to Middlesbrough and he intends to prove his worth in the Premiership next season.

Both Lisbon clubs, Benfica and his former club Sporting, are putting packages together in an attempt to lure the Brazilian back to the Portuguese capital next season.

But Rochemback, after starting the last eight matches of the season and showing huge improvements from the form he has shown since moving to the club in August 2005, has told Boro he is no longer looking to leave.

The 25-year-old, formerly of Barcelona, is on a reputed £35,000-a-week at the Riverside Stadium and still has time to run on his existing terms.

It was his lucrative terms that cost him a move back to Sporting in January, when he had indicated to manager Gareth Southgate that he would prefer to return to Portugal.

Boro are likely to listen to offers for the player this summer, although neither Sporting nor Benfica are thought to be in a position to match his wages.

But Rochemback said: "The season didn't start as I'd have liked because I had some problems. Fortunately, I had my opportunities, I did what I like doing the most, and I was never left out of the team again.

"Everything finished well for me. People were happy, including the manager (Southgate) who gave me words of encouragement. I don't think I'll be left out again.

"I was only thinking of leaving when I wasn't an option to play. I'm only thinking of helping the club to go as far as possible. I want the team to fight for a European place again next season, something more than we achieved this year.

"It's normal that there should be enquiries from other clubs. But I have another year's contract with Middlesbrough, which I intend to fulfil, and there's an option for another two years. Now I feel good at the club where I am, I'm calm, I've been playing, and I'm not thinking of leaving soon."

Rochemback's eagerness to stay is something Middlesbrough are hoping Mark Viduka will show over the next ten days, with Stewart Downing warning that his contract demands deserve to be met.

Downing fears a failure to do so will hand Southgate the impossible mission of replacing his top striker, who signed off with 19 goals for the season with a brace against Fulham on Sunday.

Downing, like the rest of his team-mates, hopes the Australian spurns the advances of other prospective employers and signs a new contract at the Riverside Stadium, with champions Manchester United the latest to be monitoring the situation.

But the England winger knows Viduka has a difficult decision to make.

The former Leeds and Celtic forward, who has gone on international duty ahead of Australia's June friendlies, has indicated to the rest of the squad he would like to stay at Boro.

And Downing said: "Mark has been quite open. He is happy here and he likes to play here. He enjoys it and likes the lads. You can't ask for anything more that that as a player.

"The situation he has is with the club and that's got nothing to do with the rest of us.

"He has scored 19 goals in 29 starts and that's a fantastic record for a club low down in the league. If we were higher in the league he is going to score even more.

"He says he wants to stay so the club will have to sort it out. If we lose him then it's going to be hard for the manager to find someone of his quality. It will not be cheap.

"The only lads that are on the market are younger lads and are a lot of money.

"Mark is proven quality and has proven that year in and year out."

* Boro supporters can tour the club's Rockliffe Park training headquarters, in Hurworth, during the summer. Tours cost £6 each but are half price for season ticket holders. Details on 0844 4996789.