WHEATER SEEKS TO END SEASON ON A HIGH

Wheater - hoping to make the final cut.

Middlesbrough defender David Wheater will attempt to end the longest season of his career by forcing his way into the England squad.

The 21-year-old's excellent form during his breakthrough season on Teesside earned him a place in Fabio Capello's initial squad of 30 for the friendly against France in March, although he did not make the final cut.

However, with end-of season friendlies against USA and Trinidad and Tobago to come after he heads off on under-21 duty for a game against Wales next week, Wheater is hoping to catch the Italian's eye again.

He said: "I have got an under-21s game, so hopefully that is another chance to impress.

"Fabio Capello or someone from his backroom staff will probably be there, so play well and who knows what will happen?"

Wheater was delighted simply to have had his form recognised by Capello, and admits he was not too disappointed to miss out in the end.

He said: "I didn't think I would even get in a 30-man squad anyway, so I wasn't really expecting to be in the final cut.

"But just to be in that 30, it was a fantastic feeling for me and for my family."

A solid display for Boro in Sunday's final game against Manchester City may well be enough to get the nod again, and while Wheater admits a gruelling campaign is starting to catch up with him, he is not booking his holidays just yet.

He said: "Just being in a 30-man squad, I can't really now because if I am in that picture, hopefully I won't be able to go on holiday because I will be in that.

"I am hoping."

That would be a remarkable achievement for a man who admits that 12 months ago, he was contemplating having to leave the Riverside Stadium.

But injuries in pre-season gave him his chance, and he has not looked back since.

Wheater said: "I had another year left so I thought either I would have to go on loan and probably not even get a contract here because I wasn't in the picture at the time.

"The injuries gave me my chance, but the manager stuck with me, he had faith in me.

"He didn't put the big players back in when they came back, he stuck with me, so I am very grateful for the opportunity he gave me."

Such has been Wheater's contribution to a difficult season that manager Gareth Southgate allowed Jonathan Woodgate to leave the club for Tottenham in January.

But the youngster, who was this week named Young Player of the Year and Community Player of the Year by the club's Official Supporters' Club, admits he will be ready for a break when he does finally get the chance to put his feet up this summer.

Asked if he would be happy for the season to carry on, he replied: "I would, but truthfully, I am getting a bit tired now because I am not used to a full season of football.

"I am used to only 20 reserve games, or whatever, but if I play on Sunday, I think it will be my 40th game, which I am so happy that I am doing, but it does get tiring."

Wheater will run out against City knowing there is little but pride resting on Sunday's game after the Teessiders finally secured their Barclays Premier League status with last Saturday's 2-0 win over Portsmouth.

However, he will not be relaxing as he attempts to end the campaign on a high note.

He said: "It's very important. If we win, we will definitely finish above Sunderland, which is important for us and which we want."

Meanwhile, Southgate has confirmed that former Spanish superstar Gaizka Mendieta and South Korea international Dong-Gook Lee will leave the club when their current contracts expire this summer.