Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren last night remained tight-lipped over reports that he will step back into the international arena after England No. 2 Brian Kidd had an operation to cure prostrate cancer.

With just six weeks to go before this summer's European Championships, Sven-Goran Eriksson's assistant may not be fit for the trip to Portugal, opening the way back for McClaren to return to his former position.

McLaren, who revealed he spoke to the England boss yesterday, stepped down from international duty after the World Cup two years ago, citing he wanted to concentrate on his role as Boro boss, but Kidd's ill health may force Eriksson to send out an international SOS to his former assistant who didn't deny he could be off to Portugal next month.

After his side lost 2-0 at Liverpool yesterday afternoon - a result which keeps them 12th in the Premiership - McLaren said: "I spoke to Sven before the game and he told me the news about Brian which I was sorry to hear.

"It was just a general chat about football.

"Someone asked me if I'd be going back (to England), but at the moment it's hypothetical. Brian is the current coach and everybody with England, Sven included, is waiting to hear from Brian and hopes he recovers."

After two consecutive defeats, at Wolves and at home to Aston Villa, Boro's hopes of achieving a highest ever Premiership finish diminished yesterday, thanks largely to a five minute spell just after half-time. That made it three losses in a row but McClaren wasn't too disappointed.

He said: "We came here to win, you could see that in the way we played. We didn't sit back and defend in two banks of four, we played some great football.

"The first half was a tremendous game of football and nobody could call that an end of season game.

"I can't fault my players for the attitude they showed or the football they played."

But McClaren lamented his side's inability to find the back of the net.

The three defeats have seen Boro score just the once, and the manager, who didn't agree with the penalty awarded against Chris Riggott, said: "We had chances but failed to take them. You don't get many chances at Anfield, the first goal was important but apart from a five minute spell just after half-time we matched them throughout.

"We matched them in every department apart from sticking the ball in the net.

"I thought the penalty was very harsh. Whenever someone goes down in the penalty area there's always the chance of giving away a penalty. Once a big cheer goes up you can be influenced.

"I thought we were rather unfortunate.

"The last two results have been disappointing against Wolves and Villa.

"We wanted to finish the season well, we're trying to win matches, we're playing some great football and the attitude of the players is great so you can't say the season is fizzling out.

"It's very important that we fiinish the season on a high after what has been a very good season and we're looking forward to Europe next year."

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