Aliadieres Boro future unsure

Last updated : 04 March 2010 By Northern Echo

The former Arsenal forward will leave the Riverside when his contract expires this summer unless he can convince Gordon Strachan that he's worthy of a new deal.

He hoped Boro would trigger an extension clause in his contract but the Frenchman has struggled for fitness throughout the current campaign and the club have chosen to review the situation at the end of the season.

Aliadiere's past experience with Strachan suggests he may struggle to extend his stay on Teesside.

As Celtic boss Strachan cut short Aliadiere's season-long loan from Arsenal after the youngster had featured in only two Champions League qualifiers.

When Strachan succeeded Gareth Southgate last October Aliadiere was struggling with an ankle problem and saw the new boss recruit midfielders Willo Flood and Barry Robson along with a trio of strikers to further threaten his position at the club.

But Aliadiere's versatility could prove to be his secret weapon in bagging a new deal.

In last Saturday's victory over QPR he slotted into Boro's troublesome left-midfield berth. After transfer target George Boyd chose to join Nottingham Forest earlier this week Aliadiere could be asked to continue on the left flank at promotion-rivals Cardiff City this weekend.

It's been a hard season for me and the team. We started well and dropped off a bit,

said the Frenchman.

It was the same for me. I started well but the ankle injury kept me out for around four months. I'm delighted to be back playing whatever the position.

I miss playing in the Premier League which makes it so important for Middlesbrough to get back there although I don't know if I will be with them because I'm out of contract at the end of the season.

But that's not one of my worries now I just want to play.

Whether it's with Middlesbrough or not I am playing for my future full stop. They (Boro) had an option to take which they didn't and I suppose they don't feel desperate to keep me on. That's how it is.

I've been out for a while so it's difficult to go and ask for a new deal. You have to play and prove it on the pitch. I'd like to stay but it's not up to me, well it is on the pitch but it's up to the chairman and the manager to keep me or not.

Aliadiere accepts he wasn't at his best last Saturday but believes that he is a much more robust character than the player whom Strachan deemed surplus to requirements at Parkhead.

I was young and expected things to come easy. You don't always agree on everything but we have never had any problems and I discussed it with him at the time and it was agreed it would be best if I left Celtic, said Aliadiere.

I didn't expect for him to be my manager again but you can never say never if football.

I have grown up a lot since then both as a person and on the pitch.

Of course I was worried that while I was out the new manager came in even through he knew me from Celtic. You want to be playing and showing him what you can do.

It was frustrating. I don't mind playing on the left. I've only been back a week and a half so getting my fitness back is the key. It's tough going up and down the wing but that will get easier.

I've been out so long I'm happy to be back to help the team.

Source: Northern Echo

Source: Northern Echo