McClaren hails Middlesbrough youngsters despite defeat

LONDON, May 7 (Reuters) Middlesbrough coach Steve McClaren today hailed the young, all-English squad who played in the club's last Premier League game under his tenure, despite their 1-0 loss to Fulham.

McClaren, who replaces Sven-Goran Eriksson as England coach after the World Cup, rested all the team's big names ahead of Wednesday's UEFA Cup final against Sevilla and fielded a side consisting mostly of teenagers at Fulham.

At 18, Lee Cattermole became the side's youngest captain in their history.

''The performance from them was heroic and it was an injustice that we lost that game,'' said McClaren.

''It must be unprecedented in history to find a team as young as that, all English and born within 30 miles' radius of the football club.

''But it's not just that. The way they performed... (Adam) Johnson, (James) Morrison, they're tremendous prospects.'' Early in the second half, Danny Graham looked to have given Middlesbrough the lead when he put the ball into the open goal with a diving header but the goal was disallowed for a handball.

In the 84th minute Icelandic international Heidar Helguson converted a penalty to give the hosts the win.

''We had quite a few chances, we played well and if we'd got that goal we might have got the result,'' added McClaren.

''It's a proud day for Middlesbrough football club and I'm sure a proud day for Steve Gibson, the chairman, who always wanted to build a team of players who were born within 30 miles of our stadium. And 15 of the 16 players in the squad were all that.'' McClaren hopes to go out in style with victory in the UEFA Cup final in Eindhoven.

''It's a historic game for Middlesbrough, and I'm sure even Newcastle and Sunderland fans will be hoping and wishing that we can win on Wednesday,'' he said.

Reuters VJ VP0348