Maccarone begs for Boro life

Middlesbrough forward Massimo Maccarone has pleaded with manager Steve McLaren not to boot him out in the summer.

The Italian has failed to find his top form at The Riverside since joining in an £8.1 million deal back in the summer of 2002.

Rumours suggest that Boro boss McLaren is keen to bring in a striker during the off-season as he looks to build on a successful season that saw the club win their first ever major trophy.

However Maccarone remains confident that he can prove his worth on Teesside, despite admitting he has not yet shown his true qualities to the team's fans.

"I hope I'm given the opportunity to show what I can do," he stated. "The club paid a lot of money for me and I have not done well so far.

"But I am very determined. My target is to finish the season well with some goals then show next season how good I can be because I haven't done that yet."

Maccarone made an explosive start to his career in England and the former Empoli player was Middlesbrough's top scorer in his first season.

However a nasty ankle injury at the start of this campaign meant he spent four months on the sidelines and the hit-man feels that has affected his form in front of goal.

"It (the injury) was a big setback," explained the club's record signing. "It was quite serious and I found it difficult when I cam back. But, I have felt much better recently."