Viduka the goal hero but future remains uncertain

WHILE Mark Viduka's first half strike at the JJB Stadium was enough to secure Premiership status for another season, whether or not the Australian striker will be around come August remains open for much conjecture.

It was perhaps quite fitting that the man, whose match-winning goal means Boro will be playing top flight football for a tenth consecutive season, is still not sure if he wants to be a part of Gareth Southgate's plans beyond the current campaign.

There would certainly be no shortage of takers for the 31-year-old, whose class would be welcome at most Premiership clubs, and many abroad for that matter. West Ham United and Newcastle United are just some of Viduka's many admirers.

But it is at the Riverside Stadium that Southgate wants to see the former Leeds United striker commit his future.

The loss of Viduka, who took his tally to 17 goals for the season at the weekend, is a worrying prospect, given the Teessiders' flirtation with the relegation places this season.

Recent performances suggest Boro's mind is already on the beach. With what is now a meaningless encounter, at least as far as the Teessiders are concerned, with Fulham to come, Southgate could be forgiven for channelling his thoughts elsewhere too as he tries to convince Viduka his future remains on Teesside.

"Mark has made a huge contribution for us," said Southgate. "It's not just his goal, it's his build up play as well. His contribution has been huge.

"We are still talking to him. Now that we have secured our place in this division some things are a little bit clearer.

"Mark Viduka will have his fans at other clubs. His form for us has dictated that. But we very much hope he will be with us at the start of next season."

Now at the end of his third, and arguably most productive season at Middlesbrough, only Viduka can provide the answers as to where he will be in the months to come.

But at 31, the nimble-footed forward may feel that he is ready for one more big move as he approaches the twilight of his career.

Southgate can no longer sell European football to the forward, and instead the Boro boss will seek assistance from chairman Steve Gibson's purse strings.

Viduka was only eclipsed by the impressive Julio Arca on Saturday as the Teessiders were made to work hard for their win, although on this evidence it is clear to see why relegation is now a real possibility for Wigan, who slipped into the bottom three at the weekend.

After withstanding a bright opening 20 minute spell from the home side, in which Lee McCulloch struck the Boro crossbar, it was with their first shot on goal that the visitors scored.

Dong-Gook Lee earned a free-kick on the edge of the box after he was shoved off the ball by Leighton Baines. But as Stewart Downing's sliced free-kick drew cheers from home fans, Viduka had the last laugh as was the only one to react at the back post to stroke the ball past former Darlington goalkeeper Mike Pollitt.

Downing should have increased Boro's lead before half-time when, after latching on to Arca's ball over the top, the England winger could only direct his effort wide.

There were appeals for a Wigan penalty moments later when Andrew Taylor was accused of handling in the box, but replays showed the full-back's interception to deny Emile Heskey was spot on.

Downing was presented with another good goalscoring opportunity shortly after the interval, Arca again the provider, but again the Teessider failed to find the target.

Julius Aghahowa and substitute Caleb Folan both brought comfortable saves from Mark Schwarzer.

In injury time Heskey should have rescued a point, but the former England striker blazed high over the bar.

Defeat for Wigan now means Paul Jewell's men win at Sheffield United on the last day of the season and hope that West Ham fail to cause an upset at Manchester United if they are to retain Premiership football.

And after ensuring relegation will not put a blot on his first season in charge, Southgate has been able to take plenty of positives from a difficult campaign.

"I have learned something every day in this job," said Southgate. "It's been a very steep learning curve for me. I have enjoyed the challenge.

"But I speak for everyone when I say that we will also be stronger for this experience. We knew after only three or four games that it would be a tough season. We have always been chasing the game, but we have shown a lot of character at the same time.

"There are not many teams with a back four as young as ours. There are not many teams that have as many teenagers featuring in their squad. We have many things which can work to our advantage for the future."

And only time will tell whether or not elder statesman Viduka will be a part of those plans.