SIDELINED Brazilian Doriva wants to step up negotiations with Middlesbrough in a bid to remain at the Riverside next season.

The midfielder has been out of action since hobbling off at Everton on April 27 and groin surgery means he is also ruled out of the trip to Portsmouth on Saturday.

And, with his contract due to expire in the summer, there is a possibility that Doriva has already played his last game for Boro.

However, manager Steve McClaren has indicated he is keen to agree terms with Doriva to extend his stay in the Premiership.

And now the 31-year-old has revealed that he is more than willing to stay at Boro for a third successive year - provided the two parties can reach an agreement.

"I hope to stay because I'm very happy here," said Doriva. "Everything at the club is good. I believe in God and while I would like to stay it's in God's hands.

"If I stay it will be very good but wherever I go I will try to be happy."

McClaren signed Doriva on a free transfer from Celta Vigo and, after impressing during his initial loan period, the player was handed a one-year deal last summer.

He played a major role in Boro's Carling Cup run, as his partnership with George Boateng in the middle of midfield blossomed.

It was his form in the centre of the pitch which earned him the Player of the Year award from his teammates last week.

Boro bring the curtain down on a successful campaign when they travel to Portsmouth on Saturday knowing victory could still ensure them their highest Premiership finish.

Three points will put them on 51 points - one short of their record total achieved in 1999-00 - and may lift them to eighth if other results go their way.

Boro need Charlton to lose at home to Southampton as well as both Fulham and Birmingham failing to win at Bolton and Blackburn respectively.

And tough-tackling midfielder Boateng, who was part of the side that beat Manchester City 2-1 on Saturday to end a three game losing run, claims McClaren's men will not be going out to entertain at Fratton Park.

The Dutchman said: "Before Saturday's game we said even if it has to be very ugly we will take that if it gets us the win we need to push us up the table and towards 51 points.

"We've played well in recent weeks, created numerous chances and ended up as losers, which was a bit frustrating."

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