Christie sets sights on challenge

Middlesbrough striker Malcolm Christie has set his sights on challenging Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Mark Viduka for a starting place.

The 25-year-old returns to action in a reserve game against Sunderland tonight after a nine months out.

The former Derby man broke his leg in November and then needed surgery on both feet.

Christie insists he will not be happy until he is pushing for a place in the first team even if it means unseating new boys Hasselbaink and Viduka.

"It's been a nightmare, but what's happened is in the past and I know that in a month or two I'll be a better person and hopefully a better player for what I've been through," he said.

"Then I know I have another fight, to get a place. But that's healthy. I've always thrived on competition, I just want to get back pushing for a place.

"I've been at a club where there has been such a very good, very positive start and I just want to be a part of that.

"I'll learn so much from the likes of Jimmy and Mark - I still can't believe that I'm at the same club as players I used to watch before I started to play professionally.

"I don't mind if I play with them or instead. I'm just so keen to get back involved."

Christie is included in the squad alongside fellow first-teamers Ugo Ehiogu, Colin Cooper, Doriva and Andrew Davies. The striker knows the hard work is not yet over, but is just happy to be in position to play again.

"I don't expect to play one or two games and be back in first team contention - it's been a long time since I played," he told the club's official website, www.mfc.co.uk.

"There have been many dark days over the last few months and I need to get my confidence back.
"When it comes back and I get back playing regularly, I hope there will still be a place for me in the first-team squad."