STEVE McCLAREN last night demanded that Middlesbrough aim for their highest-ever Premiership finish at Bolton tomorrow - and boost his summer spending power.

Boro, currently tenth, could finish as high as eighth or as low as 13th depending on the way results pan out on the final day.

The difference in prize money between the positions is around £2.5m, and McClaren admits that could provide the funds to make at least one signing when the transfer market reopens.

A win would give Boro 52 points, equalling their best Premiership total achieved under former boss Bryan Robson three years ago, when they finished 12th.

Their highest finish, however, came a year earlier - with 51 points - when they were ninth.

The stakes, of course, are far greater for fourth-bottom Bolton, who are in a straight fight with West Ham for Premiership survival.

But McClaren's only concern is the betterment of his own club. "Higher places mean extra money for the budget, and it could amount to one or two more players,'' said McClaren.

"If we win we could finish eighth and if we lose we could finish 13th. That's a huge difference.

"So it's very important for us to finish as high as possible and reach our targets.

"The squad needs strengthening and we're always on the look-out to do that.

"We need to improve the depth of the squad, because at times we've suffered through injuries and suspensions to key players like Juninho, Ugo Ehiogu, George Boateng and, lately, Geremi.

"There's an enormous amount of work to do this summer - and it begins on Monday.

"We'll assess the season and see where it went right and where it went wrong and make sure we look to Europe and a trophy next year - that's our ambition.''

Boro are still in contention for a UEFA Cup place this term via the Fair Play League.

McClaren's men are lying sixth, only a fraction of a point behind Kevin Keegan's Manchester City.

The four leading clubs in the Fair Play League - Manchester United, Newcastle, Liverpool and Chelsea have already qualified for Europe through their Premiership placings.

But McClaren is playing down talk of a back-door route which could lead Boro into major continental competition for the first time. "I'm not thinking about the Fair Play League and I don't think the players are either,'' insisted McClaren.

"One of the criteria is that managers must sit down more, so maybe the most important thing is that I stay on my bum and don't jump outside the technical area!

"But the situation with the Fair Play League is hypothetical.

"We've shown we've played in the right way this season. Positive play is also rewarded and we've been positive all season; we're actually above Man. City on positive play.''

Bolton, managed by former Sunderland skipper Sam Allardyce, are level on 41 points with West Ham, who visit Birmingham.

And McClaren is acutely aware of the burden of responsibility on his side to make Bolton's task as tough as possible.

McClaren joked: "I saw Sam in mid-week - all I accepted from him was a glass of red wine!

"We owe it to ourselves, West Ham and the League in general to do our best.

"We'll put out our strongest team possible and go all out to win this match for Middlesbrough - and nobody else.

"Sam has done very well with Bolton and they're on a tremendous run.

"Youri Djorkaeff and Jay-Jay Okocha, who've both played in the World Cup, have been enormous for them.''

Former Bolton striker Michael Ricketts, who quit the Reebok Stadium for Boro in January, could face his old club.

Ricketts has been troubled by an Achilles injury, but McClaren said: "He's come through training unscathed and we're hoping he'll play some part on Sunday.''

McClaren is without Geremi (ankle) and Joseph-Desire Job (knee), and has doubts about Ehiogu (knee) and Szilard Nemeth (hamstring).

Meanwhile, McClaren confirmed he is hoping to sign on-loan Brazilian midfielder Doriva on a permanent basis from Spanish side Celta Vigo.

"He's done very well and we'll sit down at the end of the season to try to work something out,'' said McClaren, who is also anxious to hold on to goalkeeper Mark Crossley following his return from a two-month loan with Stoke City.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.