BENITO Carbone has put hopes of signing for Middlesbrough on a permanent basis to one side, at least until after Sunday's FA Cup semi-final.

The diminutive Italian, who is Cup-tied for the Old Trafford clash with Arsenal, has been superb since joining the Teessiders in February, as he tries to convince manager Steve McClaren to sign him on a four-year deal.

But Carbone, on-loan from Bradford City until the end of the season, knows what this weekend's semi-final means to the Riverside outfit and he is prepared to wait.

"This week is a very important one for this club - it is not about my future," said Carbone.

"I will keep quiet about that. But yes it would be nice once the semi-final is out of the way to get everything sorted.

"I don't know if I've done enough yet, I certainly hope so because this is the perfect club for me.

"The manager likes me, the crowd likes me and in the dressing room the players like me too. Everything fits in for me.

"I'm allowed to go out on to the pitch and enjoy myself."

Carbone's unavailability just adds to McClaren's already deepening selection problems.

Boro are definitely without first team squad members Paul Ince (suspended), Mark Wilson (thigh), David Murphy (ankle), Noel Whelan (hamstring) and Carbone.

The list could grow if leading-scorer Alen Boksic (groin) and fellow striker Szilard Nemeth (ankle) both lose their races to be fit.

Whelan was ruled out yesterday after assistant manager Bill Beswick indicated the ex-Coventry man is out for the "foreseeable future."

The 27-year-old was carried down the tunnel after picking up a hamstring tear against Villa.

But Carbone is convinced Boro can cope in the absence of some of their star players.

"We are unlucky to be losing three important players," said the former Sheffield Wednesday, Inter Milan and Derby man.

"Paul Ince, Noel Whelan and myself will be a big loss but the rest will all be doing their best.

"The dressing room is like a family at this club and the spirit is the best quality.

"Everyone is together and we have belief in ourselves and each other. That is what whoever plays will take into the game and hopefully it will be enough.

"Of course it is never easy against an Arsenal but we will try and we have a chance.

He added: "The manager talks about the winning mentality and there is belief.

"We all believe in ourselves. I have noticed the difference since the day I arrived because perhaps there wasn't so much then.

"But there is more belief and more confidence in the side now. I feel we are a good team and a good squad, which was not the case before.

"But I'm not taking the credit for that. It's all about the winning mentality and hopefully that will help us against Arsenal."

Carbone has never been a prolific marksman but his creativity in the final third has been a major factor in Boro's climb up the Premiership table.

When the forward fired past Villa goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel on Saturday, it was his first in ten appearances for McClaren's men.

Carbone realises he has a lot more to offer than just finding the net.

"I've always said that scoring does not mean everything to me, but of course as a striker it's good to score goals - especially when it's your first," he said.

"When you play well and you score a goal, an important one like it was against Villa, then it is the best of all worlds.

"I was playing a slightly different role - playing more up front. But then Dean Windass came on and it was like the old Bradford combination again.

"Dean is very good at holding the ball and winning the ball - in fact I think he changed the game.

"Dean will do well next week but whoever gets on will do their best.

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