Middlesbrough striker Jeremie Aliadiere admits he has ambitions to break into the full France squad.

He told the Sunday Sun: "Before my injuries and all the bad times I have had, yes, when everything was going right and I was only 18, I thought I would play more games at Arsenal and maybe go to the national team.

"But things didn't work out as good as I expected. Now, playing regularly for Boro improves my chances. I have been playing well and the team has been doing good.

"I'm not really thinking too much about it. Obviously I'd love to be in the French squad but I'm just happy to be playing every week with Boro - and that's all that matters to me at the minute.

"Maybe in a few years, it's always an ambition to play for your country and it would be very nice for me to play for France.

"But this is my first season when I have played every week and that's the most important thing in my first season."