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Australian international Viduka assured he is still Boro's top striker [Fri Sep 16th, 2005]
London (AFP) - Mark Viduka has been assured that he will continue to be regarded as Middlesborough's leading striker, following his return from a prolonged injury spell.
Viduka missed virtually all of the second half of last season with back and hamstring problems and reports over the summer suggested manager Steve McClaren would be happy to offload the highly-paid Australian to reduce Boro's wage bill.
The Australian also had to be content with a place on the bench as Boro claimed a memorable 2-1 victory over Arsenal on Saturday.
But in the build-up to the club's UEFA Cup first round tie with Greek side Xanthi on Thursday evening, McClaren insisted Viduka was at the forefront of his plans.
"Mark Viduka is somebody who I want in my team week in, week out as our main striker, but with three games a week, sometimes that is not possible," the Boro boss said.
"He is one of the top strikers in the Premier League. He has proven that over recent years and he wants to prove it again. It is a World Cup year."
Viduka scored twice in his comeback game, a 3-0 win over Birmingham three weeks ago.
But he faces competition for his place in the starting line-up from Nigerian summer signing Aiyegbeni Yakubu and revitalised Italian Massimo Maccarone.
"The pleasing thing for me was we could put Mark on the bench and still come out with a result against Arsenal," McClaren added.
"It proves what a good squad we have got and we can get consistent results."
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