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McCLAREN EYES DREAM FINALE
By Duncan Bech of Bettingzone.co.uk
Steve McClaren admits it would be a "dream come true" to end his reign as Middlesbrough boss by winning the UEFA Cup.
Boro face Sevilla in the final on Wednesday night and McClaren, who will be overseeing his last match as the Teessiders' boss, wants to finish on a triumphant high.
"It would be a dream come true to finish my time at Middlesbrough by winning the UEFA Cup," he said.
"It would be a historic day for the club and everyone involved in it. That's what we trying to do. We're capable of winning it.
"It's a big game for us, an historic game. I'm sure even Newcastle or Sunderland fans will be hoping we can win!"
McClaren believes former Tottenham and West Ham striker Fredi Kanoute will be Sevilla's main dangerman in Eindhoven and rates the Spanish team highly.
"We've watched Sevilla a lot and have had have had some help from Bolton who played them in the group stages," he said.
"We'll be prepared as normal. They have Fredi Kanoute and we know all about him.
"They're a very good team, typical Spanish - quick, play good football and strong technically. They play good football and that's why they're in the final."
Boro signed off their Barclays Premiership campaign with a 1-0 defeat at Fulham yesterday - offering an extraordinary glimpse into the future in the process.
The average age of the squad was 19 with all but one being born within 30 miles of the Riverside.
McClaren wanted to rest his first team regulars for the UEFA Cup final but England's coach-in-waiting insists some of yesterday's line-up could feature against Sevilla.
"Most definitely some can play on Wednesday," said the 45-year-old.
"Matthew Bates played against Steaua Bucharest and Andrew Taylor also played in the semi-final.
"Adam Johnson and Lee Cattermole could also be there. We need four or five for Wednesday."
McClaren was delighted to take some of the pressure off his senior players and hopes to have a full squad for the trip to Eindhoven.
"We've had four games this week. Fulham was our 63rd game this season. It's an incredible number," he said.
"To have youngsters of that calibre and to be able to have 11 in a squad of 16 and to see them perform like that enables me to give a rest to the players I need for Wednesday.
"Sunday to Wednesday was such a short period there was no way I could play them. All the senior guys trained on Saturday. There should be a fully-fit squad to select from."
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