CHELSEA assistant manager Steve Clarke last night vowed to keep Geremi at Stamford Bridge, despite the midfielder revealing his hopes of a move to Middlesbrough.

The Cameroon international, who is understood to have spent last Friday on Teesside, has grown increasingly frustrated at his lack of first-team action under Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

Geremi has started just two league games this season, despite Chelsea's attempts to fight on four different fronts as they chase an unprecedented quadruple.

The former Real Madrid midfielder scored nine goals during a loan spell at the Riverside two years ago, and Boro boss Steve McClaren has made no attempt to hide his admiration of the 26-year-old.

McClaren came close to signing Geremi in the summer but, rather than returning to Teesside, the player opted to fight for his place at Stamford Bridge.

That is a fight he has now conceded he has lost and, yesterday, Geremi admitted he would be willing to rejoin Boro before the end of the month.

Clarke, though, has other ideas and the Chelsea number two has dismissed the prospect of one of his side's fringe stars jumping ship.

"There's been one or two quotes attributed to our players over the course of the season," said Clarke, who was Ruud Gullit's number two during the Dutchman's controversial reign at Newcastle.

"Players who are not involved as much as other players can get a bit frustrated. Geremi played on Saturday so maybe his timing wasn't the best but we don't even know if he said those things. It is only rumour and supposition.

"We want to keep everybody that we have got in the squad now. We have got a lot of tough matches between now and the end of the season and we will need everybody."

Geremi cost Chelsea £7m when he joined in July 2003 and, with Mourinho unlikely to sanction a loan move this month, Boro will have to pay at least half that figure if they want to prise him away on a permanent basis.

That could prove problematic, with Steve Gibson reluctant to spend big money this winter after sanctioning the signing of five internationals in the summer.

But, with Geremi keen to leave London, McClaren remains confident of bolstering a midfield that is looking somewhat threadbare given the long-term absence of both Gaizka Mendieta and George Boateng.

"I'm not satisfied at Chelsea because I am not playing," said Geremi. "Mourinho is not giving me opportunities and I do not like being on the bench.

"I would prefer to leave and the option of Middlesbrough is excellent, because I have great memories of my stay there."

The Italian press have linked McClaren with wantaway Roma midfielder Olivier Dacourt but, while the Boro boss has been monitoring the former Everton and Leeds star, Geremi remains his preferred target.

The African remains popular with both the Middlesbrough fans and his former team-mates following his previous season-long loan.

Boro striker Joseph-Desire Job accepts the need for a new midfielder, and would love to see his fellow countryman make an emotional return to the Riverside.

"I'm still in touch with him and I think he would be delighted to come back," said Job, who has also revealed his own new-found contentment at the club. "But it doesn't just depend on him. If it would only depend on him he would have been here already.

"I hope he does come back. He is a good friend and for me was the best player in the season when he was here before. The fans love him and he would definitely help the side."

Meanwhile, teenage full-back Tony McMahon has turned down Boro's offer of a new contract.

The 18-year-old, who made his senior debut at Old Trafford in October, has made 15 first-team appearances this season.

His current deal expires at the end of the current campaign and, with a number of Premiership clubs closely monitoring his progress, Boro have made an initial attempt to tie him to Teesside.

But the Evenwood-based youngster has dismissed their opening offer. His agent, Ian Elliott, said: "I can confirm that the initial deal has been rejected. We hope talks can continue and we get a suitable offer."

At the moment there is no suggestion that McMahon is seeking a move away from Middlesbrough but, with Michael Reiziger currently ahead of him in the pecking order, Boro could be left with their fingers burnt if another club can guarantee first-team football.

l Middlesbrough's trip to Aston Villa on Saturday, March 5 has been brought forward because of live TV coverage. The game at Villa Park will now kick-off at 12.45pm and be screened on Premiership Plus.

l Former Boro striker Hamilton Ricard has linked up with ex-Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Chris Bart-Williams at Cypriot side Apoel FC.

The 30-year-old Colombian made 134 appearances for Boro after being signed for £2m in 1998.