MIDDLESBROUGH manager Steve McClaren took mentor Jim Smith for dinner last night amid the furore over the former Newcastle boss's future at Portsmouth.

Smith is at the centre of bitter recriminations between Pompey boss Harry Redknapp and chairman Milan Mandaric.

Redknapp angrily denied Mandaric's claim that the manager is willing to release assistant Smith as part of the backroom shake-up demanded by the Serbian tycoon at Fratton Park.

Redknapp and Mandaric held clear-the-air talks yesterday and agreed to have a further meeting next week.

McClaren, whose side round off their season at Portsmouth today, was given his big break in coaching by Smith at Derby County in the mid-nineties before he became Sir Alex Ferguson's right-hand man with Manchester United.

And McClaren has come out in defence of Redknapp and Smith as Pompey's managerial duo face what could turn out to be an emotional farewell this afternoon.

"I have every sympathy for Harry,'' said McClaren. "Anybody who comes up from the First Division and stays in the Premier League has achieved something monumental.

"Harry, Jim, Kevin Bond and all the players there deserve credit for that. There are things going on behind the scenes that I can't really comment on.

"I know how important it is to have a good relationship with your chairman. I have that with Steve Gibson, but you have disputes and disagreements.

"Harry has done a fantastic job at Portsmouth and what's happened is very unfortunate and unsavoury for that club.

"Jim's fantastic, a real football man, and he's helped Harry along. I've spoken to Jim and we're going to have dinner - and he's buying the red wine!

"He's experienced and has been through all this before. Jim gave me my biggest break and I learned a lot from him. He's been a very good friend to me over the years and I have the greatest respect for him.''

Boro could still reach eighth - their highest Premiership finish - if they win today and other results go in their favour.

But the highlight of the season was the club's first major trophy, and McClaren said: "We've gone from being a nearly team to winning something. I would suspect that winning the Carling Cup was the best day in the chairman's football life.

"He knows there's a window of opportunity - with Europe and everything else - to take this club forward, rather than be remembered as a one-season wonder.''

Boro are without striker Massimo Maccarone, who broke down with a groin injury in training.

The Italian joins the likes of Juninho (thigh), Gareth Southgate (knee), Colin Cooper (knee) Chris Riggott (ankle), Stuart Parnaby (knee) and Doriva (groin) on the sidelines.

England Under-18 left-back Andrew Taylor is added to a squad that also features fellow FA Youth Cup winners Matthew Bates and James Morrison. The centre-back and winger were on the bench for the home win over Manchester City a week ago.

McClaren, meanwhile, has denied that Boro have lodged an £8m offer with Leeds for England striker Alan Smith.

"No actual bid has been made from this club, but I know there are enquiries,'' said McClaren, who admitted that Boro had presented Carling final goalscorer Joseph-Desire Job with an improved deal after the Cameroon striker rejected their initial offer.

McClaren said: "We made him an original offer and we've since made an improved offer, and I know he's discussing that with his agent. I hope he stays. He's been fantastic for us in the past two seasons.''

McClaren was non-committal about the prospect of Brazilian midfielder Doriva - like Job a free agent this summer - accepting fresh terms.

"We're very close to agreement, but nothing is finalised yet and I wouldn't like to comment either way at the moment,'' said McClaren, who confirmed that left-back David Murphy had been released.

"It's a shame, but things move on in football. We wish David well in pursuing his career elsewhere.''

Read more about Middlesbrough here.