excellent boksic story which reminded me of a story told by gareth southgate a while back (if im not mistaken in the guardian). boksic's commitment to the cause was as mentioned above slightly lacking in comparison to his pay packet while at boro and apparently a running joke in the dressing room.

when team meetings were organised boksic would turn up (late no doubt) sit at the back of the room expressing absolutely no interest and no contribution before promptly leaving. the boro players decided to ensure that for a future meeting the only chair left for boksic would be right at the front of the room therefore forcing the moody croatian to contribute. apparently upon entering the room the moody croatian apparently preceded to silently walk to the front carry the chair to the back of the room and sit in silence for the rest of the meeting, you have to admire his style!

Which Serie A footballer have you most enjoyed interviewing?
[Almost instantly] Roberto Mancini was great. He's quite tight-lipped, quite dry and quite taciturn, but in an amused way. He always seemed to be conducting a little game of chess with me. We also had a lot of fun with Paul Gascoigne, and Paul Ince was a sweetheart, but interview-wise, my favourite player was probably Gianluca Vialli. I liked him, he put a little bit of a philosophical spin on his football.

And the most irksome?
Could it have been Alen Boksic? I think it probably was, you know. Oh, and Marco Branca was very difficult. I called him up on his phone once and he said: "No, this isn't Marco Branca's number at all, I don't know who told you it was." I could hear it was him, I recognised his voice, but he kept on denying it. Boksic, however, wanted paying for an interview and was pretty sneering about it. I just thought, blimey, the contract you're on and you still want paying.!

Bryan Robson yesterday named Alen Boksic as the best front man in the Premiership but warned: "We must wrap him in cotton wool."

The Middlesbrough boss ordered complete rest for Boksic before the test against Spurs at the Riverside tonight.

The Croatian striker was 'sore' after his two-goal debut at Coventry, his first game for three months.

But he will be launched against George Graham's side with Robson warning: "He is one of the best strikers in the world and if he'd played for a France, Germany or Holland he'd be a world figure. But Croatia don't get the same recognition, even though they have been to finals and done well.

"I played against Michel Platini and Zico and I loved them, they were greats. And the player who excites me now when I watch him is Alen.

"He was unbelievable when Marseille won the European Cup but he is at his peak now, at 30 with all the knowledge and ability.

"But we have to be careful with him because he is an explosive player and since he arrived I've realised exactly how he does play - in games it is either walking or sprinting.

"There's nothing in between those two, that's what makes him so exciting. Now my job is to keep him away from injury and in a Middlesbrough shirt.

"Myself and the medical staff will have to monitor him, I've realised I've really got to gauge him like that.

"Up to two years ago he had a good appearances record and he's only had the one injury. But we've got to make the preparation and toning of muscles right. We've got give him rest and not too much to do in training and matches. I've got to keep him playing, because he is the best."

Boro are paying major money in wages for the £2.5m front man but Robson snapped: "Just ask the Middlesbrough fans what they think. Ask them if they want to see him in the team or not.

"They were disappointed we didn't sign Juninho, and so was I, but Alen was less than half the price and he's the best in the Premiership. I backed my judgment and hope it pays off.

"We haven't given him any goal targets or anything - in fact one of his qualities is making chances for others. All I want is to see him in a Middlesbrough shirt."