MIDDLESBROUGH look destined to miss out on signing Bolo Zenden on a permanent basis after the Dutch winger revealed he intends to return to Chelsea in the summer.

After a slow start, Zenden has proved a good signing by Steve McClaren and he played a big part in helping Boro to lift their first major trophy last month.

The lure of being a part of the club's first adventure in the UEFA Cup is an attraction for the 27-year-old. But it is not as appealing as playing in the Champions League with his parent club Chelsea and Zenden admits it is something he misses.

No talks have taken place between the player and McClaren over a full-time move when the transfer window reopens, but the Holland international is keen to keep his options open anyway.

Zenden - who would also welcome a move back to Spain with former club Barcelona - will have one year left to run at Stamford Bridge when his loan deal at Boro comes to an end.

But, with owner billionaire Roman Abramovich not letting up in his spending spree, remaining on Chelsea's payroll looks more doubtful now than it did when Zenden left to join Boro in August.

If he were to return then, as well as battling with Dubliner Damien Duff for the right to play on the left wing, he will also have to prove he is better than Arjen Robben, who is due to arrive from PSV Eindhoven in June for £12m.

But Zenden, who knows it is increasingly likely that Blues boss Claudio Ranieri will be sacked come June, said: "I want to play at the highest level and, just like any other footballer, I would like to play in the Champions League. It's good for Middlesbrough to play in the UEFA Cup next season and that's a very positive thing.

"I am only on a loan deal here and a loan deal means that I'm back at Chelsea next season. I have one year left at Chelsea.

"What happens after the season I don't know. It's not up to me. I'm still owned by Chelsea. I'm always prepared to listen to people."

If Zenden were to turn his back on Boro then he is convinced that McClaren has a ready-made replacement waiting in the wings.

"I think in Stewart Downing Middlesbrough have an exceptional young talent," said Zenden. "Stewart Downing could do something big over the next couple of years, there's no doubt about that.

"To get a young player like him to sign a four-year deal was a major signing for Middlesbrough."

Zenden, along with George Boateng, will be back in the Boro starting line-up tomorrow at Everton after missing last week's 5-3 victory against Birmingham City through suspension.

Missing games is something he has not been used to at Boro - he had made 26 consecutive starts prior to that match - although he did struggle to claim a regular place at Chelsea.

And Zenden, who had never previously been sent off in a match until seeing red at Birmingham early this month, revealed it has been a joy to have such a run.

"It's good to be playing every week," said Zenden. "It's good to be having that football. It's quite hard for a player when you work towards the weekend and then don't play."

* Ugo Ehiogu has "agreed in principle" to extend his stay at the Riverside.

The 32-year-old centre-back, whose contract runs out in the summer of 2005, said: "I want to be part of this club's future."

* John O'Shea is refusing to concede the Premiership title to Arsenal.

Manchester United head to Highbury on Sunday looking to claw back a quarter of the 12-point lead the Gunners currently hold over the defending champions.

Even if United emerge victorious from their trip to north London for the first time since 1999, with just eight games of the League campaign remaining, the odds will still be stacked heavily in Arsenal's favour.

But O'Shea, who won his first title medal with the Old Trafford club 12 months ago, will not give in.

The young Irish defender was heartened by an improved defensive display against Tottenham last weekend and thinks United are now capable of embarking on a sustained winning run that could put Arsenal under pressure.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.