EUROPEAN novices Middlesbrough have been backed to ruffle a few feathers on the continent next season.

The vote of confidence comes from the player whose penalty in the Carling Cup Final put Steve McClaren's men on the road to victory and their first UEFA Cup campaign.

Bolo Zenden enjoyed a successful season-long loan at the Riverside, and Boro are keen to secure his services for at least another season.

And the player, currently at Euro 2004 with the Dutch squad, sees no reason why the Teessiders can't make their presence felt in Europe.

"There are a lot of experienced players; players who come from abroad and who have a European style of play," said Zenden.

"It is vital to get through the first round and into the group stage, but I think winning the Carling Cup put the club onto another level.

"The club will see how important it is to be playing in Europe and in the league the club could, should and can do better.

"I expected good things when I arrived and the only thing I got were good things. I spoke with George (Boateng) before I arrived and what he said was true."

Although Boro remain eager to tie up a deal, the Chelsea player, who has also attracted interest from Newcastle, will wait until after Euro 2004 before finalising plans for next season.

* Shola Ameobi has agreed a lucrative new five-year contract with Newcastle United which will keep him at St James' Park until 2009.

The England Under-21 international has been rewarded for an impressive campaign, with the 22-year-old helping Newcastle clinch a UEFA Cup with a string excellent performances toward the end of the season.

Ameobi, born in Nigeria but raised in the east end of Newcastle, is keen to establish himself in manager Sir Bobby Robson's starting XI, after spending much of the time as cover for Craig Bellamy and Alan Shearer.

"It was good to get a lot of games under my belt last season, and hopefully I can get a few more next season," he said.

"The aim has to be to get in the team and stay there, it's the same for every player and it's certainly the case with me."

Ameobi scored 10 goals in 41 appearances in all competitions last season, making him the club's second-highest scorer behind Alan Shearer.

* Yeovil Town's interest in Hartlepool United striker Paul Robinson has cooled, after the Coca Cola League Two side signed Phil Jevons.

Former Everton man Jevons has signed a two-year deal after his release from Grimsby Town.

Yeovil boss Gary Johnson was alerted to Robinson's refusal to sign a six-month deal at Victoria Park. The striker wants a longer deal, after he netted nine goals last season.

However, his last goal was at Chesterfield almost nine months ago and Cooper wants the Sunderland-born striker to find his scoring form before a longer deal will follow.

Cooper yesterday signed teenage defender Darren Craddock on his first professional contract.

Craddock impressed after breaking into the side during the closing stages of last season, when skipper Micky Barron was sidelined with a hernia problem.

He made seven successive appearances at right-back before Barron returned for the last three games, including the play-offs.

Craddock was a regular in Pool's youth team under Martin Scott before stepping up to the reserve side and then the first team.

Scott said: "He has steadily improved and deserves the contract for the way he performed last season - but this is where the hard work starts.''

Tony Sweeney and Darrell Clarke will follow Craddock in signing new deals in the next week.

Pool have sold over 2,000 season tickets after discounts for tickets ended last Saturday - an improvement of over 200 on last season.

* Wimbledon will become Milton Keynes Dons FC after the Football League granted the club permission to change their name. The move comes after Pete Winkelman's consortium won the right to complete a takeover and take the club out of administration.

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