STEWART Downing is refusing to give up on his World Cup dream after pencilling in FA Cup third round day for his eagerly-awaited return.

Downing was being touted as the latest answer to England's perennial left-side problem when he made his international debut against Holland in February.

But, after spending more than three months on the sidelines, time is running out if the Middlesbrough midfielder is to achieve his ambition of playing in the World Cup finals.

While Sven Goran Eriksson maintains that places in his squad are still up for grabs, the England coach is understood to have settled on more than 20 of the names that will be travelling to Germany next summer.

Downing remains a possible rather than a probable but, with left-footed playmakers remaining at a premium, a strong showing in the second half of the season could yet earn the 21-year-old a place on the plane.

His recovery from knee ligament surgery is continuing apace and, with a first-team return no more than a month away, there is still time to force his way back into Eriksson's plans.

"I was extremely proud to play for England and I want to get back into the squad," said Downing, who was named North-East Player of the Year by the Football Writers' Association on Sunday night. "But, first of all, I have to concentrate all of my focus on Middlesbrough.

"My main focus is to get back into the Middlesbrough first team as quickly as I possibly can. I don't want to tempt fate, but I am half hopeful that I can be fit for the FA Cup third round game at the start of the New Year.

"It's been very frustrating having to watch from the sidelines, but it's been good to see us doing so well in the cup competitions.

"We've done well in the Carling Cup and UEFA Cup, and I want to help us go further in both.

"I know that to stand any chance of going to the World Cup I have to be back playing every week for Middlesbrough. I also have to be playing well, and that's exactly what I'm determined to do."

While Downing has not kicked a ball since August 28, Steve McClaren has been giving Eriksson regular updates on his recovery.

Eriksson even sent the England club doctor, Leif Sward, to Boro's Rockliffe Park training ground last week, a clear indication that the Middlesbrough-born midfielder remains part of his plans.

His absence has been keenly felt at the Riverside, with Boro lacking both balance and attacking adventure because of his lengthy spell on the sidelines.

McClaren is understandably keen to see him back in the side but, with fellow midfielders Ray Parlour and Gaizka Mendieta also on the injury list, he will be taking no chances with one of his prize assets.

"We have been very happy with the way Stewart has come on from what was a major injury," said the Boro boss. "I am sure the England doctor will be delighted with the way he is recovering.

"He has not been injured badly before - this is the first long-term injury he's had in his career - so it has been extremely difficult for the lad.

"But I think we have got him slightly ahead of where we thought he would be when it comes to his progress.

"We don't want to rush him back because that wouldn't be wise at all. He is badly missed in the team - he had six goals and 19 assists last season so that tells you all you need to know about that.

"But he has to be fully fit when we put him back into the side. We are not going to rush him otherwise we risk him suffering a setback."

The packed Christmas programme has already been ruled out, but January 7 has emerged as a likely date for his return.

That is FA Cup third round day, with last weekend's draw having pitted the Teessiders against non-league opposition.

Boro will travel to either Histon or Nuneaton Borough and, whatever happens when the two sides replay next Wednesday, the game is unlikely to be switched from a non-league ground.

Histon chairman Gareth Baldwin has insisted he would hold the tie at his club's 3,250-capacity Glass World Stadium while, five years ago, Nuneaton beat league opponents Stoke City at their Manor Park ground.

"It has got to be at Histon," said Baldwin. "I'm a great believer in staging a cup tie where it is drawn and we hope it would be a TV game as well."

Nuneaton boss Roger Ashby was equally upbeat, but warned his players not to get ahead of themselves after Saturday's 2-2 draw.

"It is quite amazing to have the thought of playing Middlesbrough at home," said Ashby. "You can't ask for anything better, but there is an awful lot of work to be done before anybody can play Middlesbrough.

"It is a great incentive for both clubs to win the replay."