STEVE McCLAREN believes Middlesbrough's loan star Bolo Zenden has proved just how much he cares for the club.

Zenden is beginning to find his best form since moving to the Riverside until the end of the season from Chelsea last summer.

McClaren revealed the Dutchman was instrumental in Boro's 2-1 Carling Cup semi-final second leg success over Arsenal on Tuesday night, even before his fine performance on the pitch.

Zenden, set to play against Blackburn this afternoon, gave a huge rallying cry to the rest of the squad before the clash while the boss took a back seat.

McClaren has paid tribute to the winger for the influence and respect he has commanded in the dressing room after being urged to be more vociferous by his manager.

"Bolo's one of those great professionals. On Tuesday he got them all together and gave them a great speech. He showed great enthusiasm and his commitment to this club," said McClaren.

"We have asked the players to take responsibility more and more and Bolo decided to do just that.

"We have got good characters in the squad like Ugo Ehiogu, Gareth Southgate and George Boateng. But it was good to see Bolo do that.

"He is highly intelligent and he is Dutch so he has a strong opinion on the game. He is always willing to share that. I don't know why he did it but we could do with one against Blackburn."

McClaren will not be making a decision on whether to make Zenden's deal a permanent one until March or April.

The former Barcelona man has started to come into his own on Teesside and has scored in his last two matches.

Left winger Zenden is likely to start in the middle of midfield today with Jonathan Greening ruled out with a thigh injury and Boateng serving a suspension for his sending off at Arsenal two weeks ago.

Zenden's link-up with Gaizka Mendieta and Juninho has helped Boro climb the table and they are within six points of fifth-placed Liverpool with a game in hand.

But it is the form of Juninho that has impressed McClaren the most.

After being dropped at the start of the campaign, after a run of five consecutive defeats, since being recalled the Brazilian has been a revelation up front.

And McClaren believes the rest of his strikers are benefiting from having Boro's top-scorer alongside them.

"Juninho is one of the big reasons why we have scored 15 goals in our last eight games - he has been the catalyst," said the Riverside chief. "He's playing higher up the field and receiving the ball in better areas where he can hurt the opposition.

"In the last couple of games Juninho, Mendie and Zenden have been a formidable trio.

"We are scoring goals because the service has improved. Massimo Maccarone looks a different player from two months ago. He may not have scored but he has been a threat.

"Joseph Job has come back from injury and contributed so much, Michael Ricketts did well against Arsenal, so the strikers have good competition."

Despite all eyes from Boro's supporters now focusing towards February 29 and the Carling Cup final with Bolton, McClaren wants to see his side claim maximum points from their three Premiership games before the trip to Cardiff.

"The four games in January against Arsenal were very daunting but we came through them and we won two of them," said McClaren, whose side face Blackburn before tough trips to Manchester United and Newcastle.

"It's important now that we go all out to win on Saturday because you have to get over that 30-point barrier. We need to go on a roll now.

"These three games are a big test for us. Everyone will be waiting for us to fall after three games last week. We have to prove everyone wrong."

Blackburn, who have new striker Jon Stead available, are just three points above the drop zone.

But McClaren warned: "Graeme Souness has had his ups and downs but he has come through it and he is a winner. He had a good season last season and has not been able to repeat that. But he is a terrific manager and he instils passion in his players."

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