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DURING the course of the past three months, Middlesbrough have completed a remarkable turnaround that is threatening to ensure this season will live long in the memory.

And for defender Ugo Ehiogu, his own personal transformation in fortunes has been almost as huge.

In January he was on the verge of a move to West Bromwich Albion. Had that transfer not broken down at the last moment over personal terms Ehiogu would be in the midst of a seemingly doomed relegation fight now.

Instead, with Chris Riggott suspended and Gareth Southgate injured tonight, the experienced centre-back will provide the wise head at the back for Middlesbrough as they seek an invaluable result in the first leg of their UEFA Cup semi-final in Romania against Steaua Bucharest.

With an FA Cup semi-final also on the agenda this Sunday against West Ham at Villa Park, Ehiogu could well have played a part in the last four of two of the biggest club cup competitions in the world over the next four days. And a possible role in the finals awaits should they get there.

Ehiogu, who is still likely to move on in the summer despite having a year left to run on his existing contract, knows he is in a tremendous situation, even if manager Steve McClaren deemed him surplus to requirements not so long ago.

"There have been a lot of ups and downs," said Ehiogu, whose partner at the heart of the defence will be one of Franck Queudrue, Matthew Bates or Andrew Davies.

"At one stage I didn't think I would be in this position. I suppose that's what football is all about. There will be a few more twists and turns no doubt. Nothing surprises me in football.

"I knew that if I did stay the only option I had was to get my head down and try to keep things going in Europe and in the FA Cup. I have helped do that.

"At one stage I thought I had played my last game. You know how it goes and things can turn around very quickly in football."

The next seven days, with the two legs against Steaua and the FA Cup semi-final to cope with, are being widely hailed as the biggest in the club's history. Ehiogu would not disagree.

In fact the 33-year-old, an �8m signing by Bryan Robson in 2000, feels it is also the most important for many of the players.

"It's definitely up there with the biggest of my career," said Ehiogu, who has earned his only two England caps during his time at the Riverside Stadium.

"I have played in the semi-final of the FA Cup, quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup with Villa (against Atletico Madrid) but not in the same week. It's bigger than what most people have in their careers I would imagine.

"It's a huge, week for the club. It's a great position to be in. It's put the club on the map."

The two cup runs have also increased the profile of manager Steve McClaren, with continuing talk that he will be the successor to England's Sven Goran Eriksson after this summer's World Cup.

As well as being the bookies' favourite, most observers expect his name to be announced by the Football Association when Middlesbrough have their two semi-finals out of the way.

Ehiogu insists the speculation surrounding McClaren's future is not having a negative effect on the glory-hunting squad.

"It's not unsettling for the players but it must be for the chairmen of all the clubs involved.

"No-one really knows what to do in terms of planning for next season."