Pogatetz seeks top flight safety

'Mad Dog' has been with Boro for the last three seasons

Middlesbrough defender Emanuel Pogatetz has endured the toughest season of his career - but hopes to end it with Premier League survival.

The Austrian international has been plagued with injuries but is determined to see Boro to safety before signing off for the summer break.

"My injury was a challenge for me and to maintain fitness," he told BBC Tees.

"It's been hard. But I got back into my national team. And I hope we can secure safety so I can enjoy my summer."

POGATETZ IN PROFILE Pogatetz joined Boro from Bayer Leverkusen for up to £1.8m in 2005 Banned for 24 weeks after one tackle left an opponent with a broken leg while at Spartak Moscow 'Mad Dog' made his first appearance for Austria in 17 months against Germany in February 2008

The 25-year-old centre-back has at least been handed one favour this weekend.

He could have been lining up this weekend against Bolton's Kevin Davies, the Bolton Wanderers striker harshly tagged as the Premiership's dirtiest player.

But the latest of Davies's 12 bookings - in Bolton's 1-0 win over West Ham United last weekend - has earned him a two-game suspension for clocking up 10 Premiership cautions.

"I don't know who will play up front now," said Pogatetz. "But it will still be difficult as they like to get the ball forward. It will be hard to defend against them and it will be a tough afternoon for us defenders."