JOSEPH JOB has sacrificed his African Nations Cup ambitions in a bid to win a new contract with Middlesbrough.

The Cameroon striker yesterday admitted that long-term injury forced him to abandon hope of helping his country defend their title this month.

Instead, 26-year-old Job is concentrating on trying to secure fresh terms from Boro manager Steve McClaren when his contract runs out this summer.

Job, who made his comeback in Saturday's FA Cup third-round victory against Notts County after over three months out with knee ligament damage, revealed he had told Cameroon he wouldn't be fit for Africa's footballing carnival.

But Job has backed former Lyon teammate Frederic Kanoute in his determination to represent Mali - the birthplace of his father - rather than stick with paymasters Tottenham in their relegation fight.

Job, who faces Fulham tonight at the Riverside, said: "My priority is to stay here. I have been injured and if I hadn't been injured I think I would have been in the African Nations Cup.

"I have six months left on my contract and I have to keep playing here to try to prove to the manager and the team that they can count on me if they want to.

"If the manager wants me here, I would be happy to sign a new deal - why not? But I will have to wait and see.

"I spoke to the Cameroon manager when I got injured and told him that, even if I played again in January, it would be difficult for me. I think he made his decision then.''

But Job believes Kanoute is right in his defiant club-v-country stand. "I think he has made a good decision,'' said Job.

"The problem is that everybody is looking after their own interests. After maybe three or four years, he won't play for Tottenham anymore and nobody will care about him.''

Job, signed by Bryan Robson from Lens for £3m in the summer of 2000, has been frustrated in his time with Boro by serious injuries, a lack of first-team opportunities and being played out of position.

He formed an effective strike partnership with Malcolm Christie this season before both were hit by injuries. "My position is striker,'' insisted Job. "Last year I played behind the front two because I was asked to play there. The manager felt I had the qualities to do the business and I think I did it.

"I'm a striker, but I like to drop deep. When I first came here it was very difficult. Sometimes they played me on the left or the right, which are not my positions. I'm far happier now.

"Since last year, it has been better because I have had chances to play. The manager trusts me and I have tried to pay back that trust.''

Job could also provide McClaren with some inside knowledge on Fulham and danger man Louis Saha.

The French striker, who had a spell on loan with Newcastle under Ruud Gullit five years ago, is an £8m target for Manchester United.

Job said: "I know Saha because he played in the French League. He wasn't that well known when he joined Fulham, but he scored a lot of goals in the First Division and has proved he is a quality player.

"I played with Steed Malbranque at Lyon. I know him well and he's a good player, and I know people like Sylvain Legwinski and Jerome Bonnissel.

"I know a few of the Fulham players from my time in France and, if the manager asks me, I can give him some information. But I'm sure he already knows all about them.''

Job, who claimed Boro's first goal on Saturday even though it took a deflection off County's Ian Richardson, said: "I wouldn't say I was 100 per cent fit. Before Saturday I had only trained for two weeks which is not really enough after three months out but I felt good after the game.

"I didn't play a reserve game first, which is unusual, but the manager asked me if I was ready to play and I wanted to play.''