The 29-year-old former Valencia player, who played in last year's World Cup finals and has been capped 40 times, says Spain's bid for success in Portugal would be strengthened by the inclusion of players with experience of international tournaments.

"The Spanish team always has very good players and now it is a young team and they have already showed that they can do well at Euro 2004 but it is important that there is also experience of that sort of competition in the squad," Mendieta told reporters on Friday.

"I would like to be involved in Euro 2004 which is a very important competition that every player wants to be involved in but for the moment I am just worrying about Middlesbrough.

"If I play well for Middlesbrough and give them what they want, which is a place in Europe, then the national team will come. If not, it is not a problem."

Mendieta joined Middlesbrough, who host Portsmouth in the league on Saturday, in August initially on a one-year loan from Italian side Lazio but has already agreed to stay on at the Riverside for a further four years.

He has scored two goals in 10 appearances for Boro this season and says he feels revitalized after a disappointing spell in Serie A.

"I've settled in here because of the club and the team and also because the way football is played in the Premiership is pretty similar to the Primera Liga so it makes it easier to adapt for players who come from Spain," Mendieta added.

"The English game allows me the time to do what I do best because the games are very open. You get the chance to get the ball and play football and if you are patient you can find the space to play and try to do things.