MIDDLESBROUGH midfielder George Boateng is a major doubt ahead of the West Bromwich Albion clash a week on Saturday.

The Dutch international suffered ankle ligament damage during the weekend draw at home to Charlton Athletic.

Boateng has been having treatment at the club's Rockliffe Park training HQ, but he is thought to be in a race against time to return to full fitness.

Boro boss McClaren last night revealed the 27-year-old would be a major blow to his side's game plan if the former Aston Villa man were to miss the match with the Baggies on April 5.

McClaren said: "George is a very influential player for us and we really miss him when he doesn't play." If Boateng is unable to shake off the injury in time then it could have a bad impact on Boro's chances of claiming a UEFA Cup place. Since the £5m man returned from a knee injury on Janury 28, McClaren's men have lost just once and are unbeaten in six.

And if Boateng were to be ruled out through injury he would be majorly disappointed to be absent at such a vital stage of the club's campaign.

The ex-Coventry and Feyenoord star is loving it at Boro and he is determined to help the Teessiders claim a place in the top six.

He said: "I've heard people talk about what we can achieve next year and it's true we have got a stronger squad now.

"But we mustn't forget that this season is not over yet. We have games left and we must make the most of every one to keep alive our dream of qualifying for Europe.

"I look at where I came from and where I am now, words can not express how happy I am to be at Middlesbrough and to be involved with this club."

Meanwhile, out-of-favour Joseph-Desire Job has claimed there is room for both him and Juninho in the same Boro team.

Cameroon international Job was a major factor in Boro's early season promise as he filled the hole in between midfield and attack.

But since Juninho's return from a serious knee injury - when he came on as a second half substitute against Everton on March 1 - the African has not seen a minute's first team action.

Job has been linked with a move to French outfit Paris St Germain in recent months, following speculation that both players could not play in the same XI.

But the former RC Lens man, a £3m signing under the Bryan Robson regime in 2000, believes he could link up well with Brazilian World Cup winner Juninho.

"I've played most of this season just behind the front two strikers," said Job. "That is also where Juninho does so much of his good work so it's going to be harder for me to get a start now.

"However, I definitely believe there's room for both me and Juninho in the side."

* Boro's youngsters play their first leg of the FA Youth Cup semi-final against Manchester City at the Riverside tonight.

The return leg will be played at Maine Road on April 1 and it is expected that a 30,000 crowd will be there to witness the clash.

The Teesside young guns have made impressive progress in the competition this season having beaten Bury, Barnsley, Luton and Tottenham Hotspur.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.