FRANCK QUEUDRUE is hoping Middlesbrough's first ever trophy success will strengthen his attempts to fulfil a dream of receiving an international call-up.

Queudrue will be part of the club's victory parade tomorrow afternoon as they proudly display the Carling Cup they won at the Millennium Stadium last Sunday.

It was a momentous occasion in Boro's history, having never previously lifted major silverware during their 128-year existence. And last weekend's glory in Cardiff has helped the Teessiders' take their first strides towards gaining respect from the rest of Europe.

Since completing a £2.5m move from Lens in 2002 Queudrue has been overlooked for the French squad.

However, Queudrue, a former 'B' international, believes playing in the UEFA Cup next season will help to boost his own personal aims of becoming a member of Jaques Santini's squad.

Firstly, however, the 25-year-old left-back must prove he is worth his place ahead of Manchester United's Mikael Silvestre and Bayern Munich's Bixente Lizarazu.

And Queudrue, who has settled in the North-East, has not given up completely on appearing for France against England when the two clash in the European Championships Group B fixture on June 13.

"I want the French coach to come and watch me play for Middlesbrough," said Queudrue, who should start on the left side of defence against Tottenham on Tuesday night.

"There are plenty of good players playing for France but I want to be given a chance for my country because it's a dream. Perhaps if I played for Paris St Germain my chances of playing with France would be better.

"I know that it's hard to get into this team but I have been in the B squad so I would like to think I have got a chance of playing for the full French team. I don't know whether I have a chance of playing in Portugal or not.

"Playing in the UEFA Cup should help the French coach take more notice of Middlesbrough and hopefully winning the Carling Cup has attracted attention too."

Queudrue was one of the few plus points in the 3-1 defeat at Birmingham in midweek, when Boro had a night to forget.

Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer also did himself justice with a couple of outstanding saves to keep the score down.

And, after tomorrow's parade, the big Aussie believes Boro must forget about their Cup heroics and focus on their Premiership push, starting at home to Tottenham on Tuesday.

"We have to put Wednesday's defeat behind us," said Schwarzer, who is keen to help Boro finish higher than ninth.

"It's a missed opportunity and a good learning experience for us because we should have performed better and we didn't - it was more a mental thing than anything else.

"Now we must concentrate on Tuesday and make sure we respond in the right manner."

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