MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren has fired an ominous warning to Premiership defenders: Massimo Maccarone is still learning.

The Italy striker has been a major revelation since his £8.15m club record arrival from Empoli this summer.

Maccarone has made light of the transition, scoring four goals in eight games and linking superbly with the likes of Alen Boksic, Joseph Job and Szilard Nemeth.

The form of 23-year-old Maccarone has already alerted the Serie A elite, who declined the opportunity to sign him before Boro pulled off their transfer coup.

Inter Milan were represented by former Boro striker Marco Branca when McClaren's side lost 1-0 at Manchester United last month.

Boro insist suggestions that Roma have an option to sign Maccarone at the end of this season are wide of the mark.

And McClaren yesterday dismissed as "a load of rubbish'' reports emanating from Italy, claiming that Maccarone is destined to join Man. United next summer, with Argentina's Gabriel Batistuta lined up as his Riverside replacement.

Maccarone signed a five-year deal with Boro and McClaren maintains that the impact he has made is only the start.

As right-hand man to England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, McClaren recognised Maccarone's potential when he made his debut for Italy in their 2-1 win at Elland Road in March.

Eriksson, who previously coached Lazio, then helped the meticulous McClaren compile references on Maccarone through Italian contacts before Boro took what they admit was something of a gamble. McClaren conceded: "There were never any guarantees with Maccarone.

"But we looked into his background and checked up on him. Sven had a lot of connections in Italy; I think we spoke to nearly everyone in Italian football.

"But I think Massimo is learning. He's come from a very small club to a massive club here.

"He's getting a lot of praise, and who knows what he can become? He's still learning his trade.

"He's had a good start - he's scored four goals and assisted in five - but it's all about consistency.

"It's about what he's going to be like after 20 games, not eight.

"But he loves it here, he loves the type of football we're playing and he likes the players around him. I think he's suited to the English game.

"He's a one-off and I think he can get better. Let's now see how he handles all the plaudits.''

Boro, who host struggling Bolton Wanderers today, have proved to be the Premiership's surprise package this season.

The stunning 3-0 victory at Tottenham a week ago lifted the Teessiders into third place, above Manchester United on goal difference, and former Old Trafford No 2 McClaren admitted: "It's a happy club at the moment.

"We played well at Spurs last week and at Brentford in the Worthington Cup in midweek when we won 4-1 with a young side.

"But the Bolton game is a big test for us. Bolton might be near the bottom, but they won at Manchester United and only lost to a last-minute goal at Arsenal, so we know it's probably going to be far tougher than any game we've had this season. It's a massive game for us.''

McClaren insists talk of a push for a Champions' League place is premature.

"It's too early to say. We're third, but it's very difficult to jump from where we finished last season, which was 12th with 45 points and a minus 12 goal difference, to playing Champions' League football in a year or two from now.

"But it's possible - Ipswich nearly did it a couple of seasons ago.''

Boro are unbeaten in four home games this season, and McClaren stressed: "We want to make the Riverside a fortress. Our home form is going to be vital to us this season.

"Hopefully, we'll be playing to a full house. If word of mouth gets round, the fans will come back and eventually we'll fill the stadium.''

McClaren has added striker Szilard Nemeth, back in training after a recurrence of hamstring trouble, to his squad.

But with Joseph Job having resurrected his Boro career in remarkable fashion, and Alen Boksic impressive against Spurs, Nemeth is likely to be on the bench.

Cameroon star Job, who was loaned to French side Metz last season and vowed never to set foot in Middlesbrough again, has scored twice this term and given McClaren a fresh option.

"He could very easily have moved on for good, but I think he's come back stronger mentally this season,'' said McClaren.

"I saw him when England played Cameroon before the World Cup and said: 'Be back for the start of pre-season training - and will you be a bit quicker getting from your car to the front door of the training ground? It takes him half an hour because he's so laid-back!

"But, on the pitch, he's worked hard and taken his opportunity.'

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