MARK SCHWARZER will never forget the European nights he enjoyed with Middlesbrough, but when he makes an emotional return to the Riverside this afternoon, 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. “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 club’s 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.

“Hopefully they can turn it around and stay in the league.”

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 in the table, and with a top-seven finish almost certain to secure a Europa League spot, Schwarzer is hoping to return to European action next season.