ALEN BOKSIC has underlined his determination to silence those who doubt his commitment to Middlesbrough by returning to training ahead of schedule.

The Croatia striker, who led the line for his country at the World Cup, was back at Boro's Hurworth headquarters yesterday - 24 hours before he was due to link up with his teammates to prepare for a week's training in Austria.

Boksic was quick to answer his critics last season when he suffered recurring injuries and scored only eight goals in 26 appearances.

He was linked with a move to Turkish giants Galatasaray, but said at the time: "I don't like it when people who don't know me speak about me.

"I wasn't aware I wanted to leave - I am happy at Middlesbrough.''

Now, after missing the end of last term in the lead-up to the World Cup, Boksic is anxious to match his words with deeds and forge an instant rapport with new frontline colleague Massimo Maccarone, the Italian international who became Boro's record signing when he moved from Empoli for £8.15m.

Meanwhile, as Northern Echo Sport reported on Monday, Cameroon World Cup star Geremi is Boro bound.

The 23-year-old defender or midfielder is due to have talks with Boro and undergo a medical today, and is expected to agree a season-long loan from Real Madrid.

Boro are understood to have negotiated an option to make the deal permanent.

It is also reported that Geremi, who saw a proposed £7.7m move to Chelsea fall through because of the Stamford Bridge cash crisis, will pick up £1.1m while on Teesside in a deal topping his current agreement with Real.

Across Madrid, rivals Atletico have confirmed that Boro target Juninho has no long-term future with them.

Paulo Futre, director of sport at the Vicente Calderon, admitted that money raised from the sale of the Brazilian will fund the signing of Real Mallorca's Ariel Ibagaza.

Futre said: "The negotiations are all dependent on Juninho's move, so at the moment it is on hold.''

As revealed in Echo Sport this week, Juninho's father, Osvaldo Giroldo, has conceded that the 29-year-old midfielder is seen by Atletico as one of their most saleable assets.

Juninho is still in Brazil on loan with Flamengo, but Giroldo said:

"Atletico want him to show up there. But I don't believe Juninho will play for them. All they are interested in is the money.''

* Boro and Sunderland were yesterday linked with USA World Cup star DaMarcus Beasley. The left-sided player is with Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer.

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