MIDDLESBROUGH'S Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is looking forward to catching up with a few old friends over the next couple of weeks - even if it means making them unhappy.

Boro face a two-legged UEFA Cup affair with Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon, giving Hasselbaink the chance to recall memories of how his career took off.

After a disappointing spell in Holland, the striker left AZ Alkmaar for Campomaiorense in 1992 and spent five years in Portugal.

Things started slowly, but after grabbing 12 goals in 31 starts he made a switch to Boavista. It was there he made a name for himself.

Hasselbaink averaged just over a goal a game when he hit 20 in the 1996-97 league campaign - form that alerted Leeds to take him to England for the first time.

Clubs have since spent almost £20m on the Holland international and now he is looking forward to renewing acquaintances with some old friends when he takes on Sporting wearing the colours of Boro, starting at the Riverside Stadium on Thursday.

"I have good memories of my time in Portugal. I love the country and it's a magnificent place to live and to play football," said Hasselbaink.

"I have a lot of good friends there and I have kept in touch. I played with Beto, a defender, at Campomaiorense and Ricardo, a goalkeeper, at Boavista, so it will be nice to see them again.

"I might give them a call after the match. I don't think I will be calling them before. I will see. I wouldn't want to give anything away!"

Hasselbaink is eagerly looking forward to returning to Portugal next week for the second leg.

But first Boro have to try to gain the perfect start in the tie when Sporting come to Teesside on Thursday - the second time they have been to the North-East this season, having drawn with Newcastle at St James' Park.

Hasselbaink claims to have kept an eye on developments in Portugal and he believes Boro have to prepare themselves for their sternest European test so far.

"The Boro fans can expect to see a very technical team," said Hasselbaink, who has scored three UEFA goals this season.

"Sporting are very well organised and they have a lot of good players. They have always had good players for as long as I remember.

"It will be very difficult for us in both legs. I'm sure they will come here and make it hard for us but will also try to win. That's their style. But when we go there they are sure to make it even more difficult. That's why it's important we get off to a good start at home."

Saturday's alarming defeat at Aston Villa has made Boro determined to make amends for their failings, and to gain the upper hand in the UEFA Cup last 16 clash would be a good way to start.

Hasselbaink, who turns 33 this month, has been delighted with the progress made so far in the competition - having only tasted defeat once in Villarreal - and wants to go further.

"We want to produce what we have been doing in the UEFA Cup in the league. We have had a few poor results in the league of late and hopefully our performances in the UEFA Cup will have an effect on our home form," he said.

"It's brilliant for the club and for the players to experience. It is even nicer because a lot of players haven't played in the UEFA Cup until this season.

"It's a different style of play. The game with Grazer was more an English style of play because there were more long balls. But normally it's a calmer game. Everyone is experiencing that."

Hasselbaink's friend Beto returned to training yesterday after injury and is battling to be fit to board the plane tomorrow.

Manager Jose Peseiro said: "Both Beto and Anderson Polga (another defender) are ready to return but are not match fit. We'll have to see how they react over the next couple of days."

Sporting suffered a shock defeat in the league on Sunday when they were beaten 1-0 away to Belenenses - a player by the name of Pele got the goal.

* Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren's goalkeeping crisis eased yesterday. The prospect of having to field 18-year-old academy keeper David Knight on Thursday receded with the news that Mark Schwarzer or his fellow Australian Brad Jones could be fit.

Schwarzer has missed the last two matches with medial ligament damage, but he is making good progress.

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