Mendieta denies boss rift

Forgotten star remains upbeat on Boro future

By Francisco Acedo   Last updated: 14th November 2007

mendieta gaizka

Mendieta: Determined

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Gaizka Mendieta insists he has no problem with Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate despite being frozen out at The Riverside.

The former Spain international has not featured for Boro this season with the club indicating they are willing to let him leave.

Mendieta is well down the pecking order at Boro, but he is determined to try and force his way into Southgate's plans.

Target

"My mission is to work each day and fight for a place in the team," Mendieta told skysports.com.

"The coach makes the decision and I accept it like a professional.

"I insist that I have no problems with the coach. I respect his decisions and that is fine with me."

The classy midfielder believes he could still a job for Boro and remains hopeful that he will figure for them this term.

"I believe that I am still able to play for Boro," added Mendieta. "It is my challenge to play in a match in the Premier League.

"In the summer my situation was worse.

"I aspire to be in the starting XI and the season is long."

Future
Mendieta says he is in the dark about his future and that all he is focusing on is regaining his place in the side.

"In the last weeks I have not spoken to the directors about my future," noted Mendieta.

"I saw some rumours in the press about the winter transfer market, but I have signed a deal with Boro and my dream is to play and help the team."