Hamilton Ricard yesterday paid tribute to the work Terry Venables has done to keep Middlesbrough undefeated for six games since he took charge of coaching and team selection.

The Colombian has been one of the principal beneficiaries under the new regime, winning back his first team place and scoring a spectacular winner at Bradford City to put Boro in the FA Cup fourth round this week.

It is an astonishing turnround for the club and for the striker, who looked to be on his way out before the arrival of the former England coach.

Ricard was top scorer at Boro with a total of 32 in the last two seasons but had endured a miserable time this term after being left out and criticised by Bryan Robson.

In fact, Ricard is still looking for his first League goal of the season but last night acknowledged the way Venables has put him back in the side and back in business.

"He is a very good man and a very good coach. He has made such a difference. It is different training, different football," he said.

The 27-year-old, accused of having a suspect temperament when Robson was in charge of team affairs, revealed Venables has put him into a better frame of mind: "He has made me feel confident again which is very important," he added. "He has given me a chance, which is all I want. I am happy with this situation now and I know I will score goals."

Ricard will partner Alen Boksic again in the relegation scrap with Derby at the Riverside tomorrow, where reward for victory will be a place outside the bottom three.

But defender Colin Cooper is still ruled out with knee and ankle injuries.

Irish international Alan Moore is also back in contention after scoring five goals in three games since his latest comeback from injury.

The winger has experienced an injury nightmare lasting nearly three years but has always been rated highly by Robson.

Moore, whose last first-team appearance was 30 months ago, scored a hat-trick in the 4-1 win over Leeds reserves and Robson said: "He has a lot of ability but he's had no luck with injuries.

"The goals will have done him the world of good. He is not ready to step up yet but now it is a question of attitude and whether he can stay fit and get games in."

Meanwhile 18-year-old Argentinian Carlos Marinelli has started training again after missing eight games through injury and suspension.

lThe next meeting of the official Middlesbrough Supporters Club is next Tuesday and will be held at the Hardwick Suite at the Riverside Stadium. The guest speaker is Keith Lamb, Boro's chief executive. The meeting, which starts at 7.30pm, is for members only.