JASON Steele is hoping to follow in Joe Hart's footsteps by representing England at the European Under-21 Championships in Denmark this summer.

Two years ago, Hart was Stuart Pearce's first-choice goalkeeper as England's Under-21 side finished runners-up to Germany in the European Championships in Sweden.

The Manchester City shot-stopper, who missed the 2009 final following a semi-final dismissal against Sweden, has subsequently established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper in England's senior side, and will win his 11th cap in next month's Euro 2012 qualifier with Switzerland.

Middlesbrough's Steele, who is set to be one of Pearce's three keepers for next month's Under-21 tournament, still has much to do to emulate Hart.

But having impressed during his first full season in senior football, the

Newton Aycliffe-born 20-year-old is happy to be treading the same path as one of his footballing idols.

"I've tried to model my game on Joe Hart, why wouldn't I," said Steele, who returned from a muscular injury to prove his fitness in the final two matches of the season. "He is England's number one.

"As far as I'm concerned, he is up there with the best in the world at the moment. If I can be anything like him, then I would be delighted.

"He's an inspiration because he has gone in there and done it at the highest level as a young player. It's not just his all-round game, but also his temperament that I try to model myself on.

"He's been there and done everything I've done as a young player and just gone on in leaps and bounds to reach the top."

Steele was one of four goalkeepers named in Pearce's provisional 40-man squad for this summer's tournament last week, along with Blackburn's Frankie Fielding, Watford's Scott Loach and Reading's Alex McCarthy.

The North-Easterner has represented his country at Under-16, Under-17 and Under-19 level, and made his Under-21s debut against Germany last November.

He only made his senior debut for Boro in last August's Carling Cup win at Chesterfield, but with most Premier League clubs boasting overseas shot-stoppers, has already emerged as one of the most promising young goalkeepers in England.

A number of top-flight clubs have sent scouts to watch him, but Boro moved quickly to tie him to a new four-and-a-half year deal last December.

Both Tony Mowbray and Steve Gibson are determined to keep Steele on Teesside come what may this summer, and while the youngster's profile would increase markedly if he was to represent England in an Under-21 group that also includes Spain, Ukraine and Czech Republic, he is happy to have committed his future to Middlesbrough.

"If I'm lucky enough to get the England nod, then of course it puts you in the shop window," said Steele. "But I am 100 per cent Boro, I have been ever since I was a little lad.

"It's not really for me to comment on my future other than to say I don't want to go anywhere. This is the club I want to play for and long may that continue."

Indeed, like the majority of his team-mates, Steele is already looking ahead to next season with undisguised optimism.

Boro finished the current campaign in the top half of the table after losing just one of their last 12 matches, a run that would have secured at least a play-off spot had it been replicated over the whole of the campaign.

"The last few months have been really positive for the whole team," said Steele. "We've pushed up the league, we're on a high and hopefully we can take that into next season.

"We've been going that well over the last couple of months we've become a top-six team in terms of form and confidence. Had we been consistent enough all season, we'd have been in the play-offs at least and people say they don't want the season to end.

"But in another way it's good that the season has come to an end because it hasn't been a good one overall. We have to put it behind us and take this positive feeling into the start of next season."

* Middlesbrough fans are reminded that this Saturday is the deadline to purchase a 2011-12 season card at ‘Early Bird' prices.

By purchasing a season card before Saturday's 5pm deadline, adult fans can save between £30-35 compared to purchasing one after this date.

Compared to purchasing tickets match-by-match during the 2010-11 campaign, purchasing a season card can save up to £228, the equivalent of nine free matches.