Hasselbaink last week admitted he felt his Middlesbrough days were drawing to a close, with the club making no approach over a new deal.

Boro manager Steve McClaren has made his feelings clear with regard Boateng, believing the 30-year-old is a key member of his squad and they are a different team when he is pulling the strings.

It is hard to imagine Boro letting either player go, not after the roles they have played in helping the club reach two semi-finals.

Midfielder Boateng was again instrumental in last night’s pulsating 4-2 FA Cup quarter-final replay triumph over Charlton at the Riverside while striker Hasselbaink scored his 16th goal of the season, and 12th since the turn of the year, to help set up a clash with West Ham in 10 days’ time for a place in the final.

“I’d definitely love to continue my partnership with Jimmy into next season,” said Viduka, who took his tally to 15 with the fourth goal against Charlton, his seventh in his last eight starts.

“I enjoy playing alongside him, he is a great player, a great member of the squad and a good person to have in the dressing room.

“He is very positive, a born leader, and those sort of people you need in teams, while his finishing is second to none.

“He is a very dangerous player to have in the team, and it would be a great loss if he left Boro, and the same goes for George.

“We have a great bunch here. Even when times were bad earlier this season there was a great atmosphere and everybody stuck together.

“So we want to keep hold of all our best players because this team I hope is on the verge of great things.”

Even if Hasselbaink and Boateng do leave, Viduka still has a chance to realise a boyhood dream by playing in a winning cup final side.

Either side of their date with the Hammers, Boro face a two-legged affair with Romanian outfit Steaua Bucharest for a place in the UEFA Cup final.

After failing to win a trophy during the heady times at Leeds when they famously “lived the dream” according to former chairman Peter Ridsdale, Viduka now has a double shot at glory.

“Just to experience a semi-final will be great. They are the games you want to be involved in,” added Viduka.

“As a kid in Australia I used to wake up early in the morning to watch the FA Cup final every year.

“That was the only game that was live from England at the time, and I still remember many great moments when the games were played at Wembley.

“But to go all the way would be a boyhood dream because I never won anything at Leeds.

“My desire to finally win something is unbelievably great. That’s what it is all about.”

Viduka could not be happier at the moment, which is in contrast to over two months ago when he was seen rowing in the car park at the Riverside with an angry fan after a disastrous 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa.

“I feel confident, happy. I’m enjoying myself, and that’s what it’s all about. That’s why I play football, because I love it,” insisted Viduka.

“As for the goals, that’s what happens. You go through a bad patch and then all of a sudden the floodgates open and you get plenty. Hopefully it will continue.”