Gaizka Mendieta insists he is ready to fight for his first-team place at Middlesbrough.

The former Spanish international was told by Boro earlier this year that he could leave The Riverside.

"Nobody has spoken with me about a possible exit from this club," he told skysports.com. "I have not received a formal offer from another club.

"I am working with the dream of doing good for Boro, I work to the same intensity each day and then it is up to the coach to decide who plays at the weekend.

"In football you have to accept you might not play but you are in the stands."

Mendieta has not played for Boro in 2007, his last game being in December of last year against Everton.

However, he insists he is 100 per cent fit and looking to get his chance at Boro.

"I only want to help the team and I work all day to be able to get the chance," he said. "I have not suffered any injuries and I am in perfect condition.

"It is a real pain that the Boro fans have yet to see the real Mendieta.

"I am hopeful of getting more chances this season."

The former Barcelona and Lazio man also refuses to criticise manager Gareth Southgate, saying: "I do not have a problem with the coach, Southgate always has the correct approach."