By Paul Fletcher

Parlour out for two months

Middlesbrough midfielder Ray Parlour claims winning the Uefa Cup is a realistic target for the club.

Boro have reached the group stage and travel to Grasshoppers Zurich for their opening game on Thursday.

"We have a good squad," said Parlour, who is currently recovering after knee surgery. "We have players who have been there and done it, which is important.

"It won't be easy but we have experience from our campaign last season and can go a long way."

Parlour, 32, was a member of the Boro team that reached the last 16 of the Uefa Cup last season before losing a tight two-legged tie against eventual finalists Sporting Lisbon.

But the midfielder said Boro needed to be more consistent to fulfil their ambition of a top-six Premiership finish.

Reaching the Premiership top six will be tough this year Ray Parlour

"We have some very good results then seem to let ourselves down the following week," said Parlour.

"If we can get a little run going we can move up the table and finish top six, which we need and which is very important.

"But reaching the top six will be tough this year.

"There are a lot of good teams in the division. Anybody can beat anybody - except perhaps Chelsea - at the moment."

Parlour has been out of action after suffering cartilage damage. He last played for Boro against Sunderland on 25 September, coming on as a substitute - but hopes to be playing again in December.

"I had the operation last Wednesday and the swelling is going down," said the midfielder, who joined Boro on a free transfer from Arsenal in July 2004.

"It was keyhole surgery to repair a tear to my cartilage and hopefully I will be back soon - another eight weeks or so.

"I have been quite lucky in my career - not too many bad injuries - so the law of averages dictates I had to get one sooner or later.

"I needed this done to get me through a few more years and then I'll probably call it a day anyway."

"It is important that we try and stay in there in the pack. Then February and March is a very important time when you have to try and put a few wins together."

Ray Parlour was talking ahead of his appearance at the 888.com UK Poker Open.