Cooper eyes coaching role

The 36-year-old has been in superb form this season, taking advantage of the injury to Ugo Ehiogu to maintain his presence in the starting XI and keep out youngsters Chris Riggott and Andrew Davies in the process.

"It's something I've been looking at for a while now," he told Middlesbrough matchday programme.

"I have had initial discussions with Steve Harrison, and the manager has said he would allow me to sit in on some of the coaching meetings, just to get a feel of how they operate.

"When Ugo is back in the side, it's something I can turn my attention to. For now I'm concentrating on playing football for the first team, but after that it's definitely something I'm looking at, whether that be this season or next summer. I feel coaching would be a natural progression for me."

Cooper began his career at Boro, before plying his trade with Millwall and Nottingham Forest, before returning to his native Teesside.

"I have worked with some top-class coaches during my career and I feel I've learned a lot from every one," he continued.

"From Willie Maddren as a 16-year-old right through to the coaches I work with today.

"Bruce Rioch and Colin Todd had a massive influence on me during my earlier years with Boro then again with Millwall. I have also been privileged to work with the likes of Terry Venables and Bryan Robson.

"But Boro's current coaching set-up is, by far, the most organised I have ever worked with. They don't only plan days or weeks in advance - but months, and the attention to detail is phenomenal.

"If I can pool all the ideas, techniques and methods from everyone I've worked with over the years and mould it together, then I feel I have every chance of enjoying a good coaching career."