MARK Schwarzer will never forget the European nights he enjoyed with Middlesbrough, but when he makes an emotional return to the Riverside tomorrow, the popular goalkeeper will be aiming to secure more continental competition with Fulham.

Schwarzer made 367 appearances after joining Boro in a £1.5m move from Bradford City in February 1997, becoming the overseas player with the most appearances for one Premier League club in the process.

He was an integral part of the club's Carling Cup success, and still looks back fondly on 2006's epic run to the UEFA Cup final.

"I remember meeting Bryan Robson in Manchester like it was yesterday," said Schwarzer, who is sure to receive a rapturous reception from the home supporters tomorrow afternoon. "I was excited about his plans for the club and it was a real buzz for me.

"I had some great times there and for a small town in Europe, we achieved a hell of a lot. What we accomplished was amazing given the size of the club.

"It's going to be very strange for me coming back, but I just have to play it like any other game."

Having spent more than a decade on Teesside, Schwarzer moved to Fulham when his contract expired last summer.

Boro made a concerted attempt to keep him, but the Australia international opted to move to pastures new and has subsequently produced a string of impressive performances at Craven Cottage.

His former team-mate, George Boateng, last week claimed that Boro were paying a high price for failing to keep a number of their most experienced players, and Schwarzer admits he has been bitterly disappointed at the extent of his former clubs plight.

"Boro have a reasonably inexperienced side, and it's disappointing to see the position they're in," he said. "But it was time for me to move on from Boro. The time was right I think.

"It's going to be mixed emotions for me going back. It would have been much better to be going back with Boro in a much better position. I might have been able to enjoy myself a lot more.

"Hopefully they can turn it around and stay in the league, that would be good to see."

While a home win is surely essential if Boro are to retain their place in the Premier League, Fulham have their own incentive for a victory this afternoon.

Last weekend's 3-1 win at Manchester City took the Cottagers to eighth position in the table, and with a top-seven finish almost certain to guarantee qualification for the new-look Europa League, Schwarzer is hoping to return to European action next season.

"The gaffer (Roy Hodgson) is very, very adamant that we are not to finish the season by slacking off, and we've also got a great chance to qualify for Europe," he said. "A lot of us have played there before, know how exciting that is, and would like to do so again.

"There was a lot of talk about Fulham struggling this season and a lot of people questioned why I made the decision to join them, but after speaking with the manager, I knew he wanted to make changes.

"His knowledge of the game is seen day to day. He's on the training pitch every day with us and his input is invaluable."

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