The 25-year-old, who joined Middlesbrough in a £6million move from Tottenham in the summer of 2007, has had seven clubs in 10 years.

This summer he was strongly linked with possible moves to Wigan and Fulham but eventually announced he would be staying put on Teesside.

Now Mido wants to extend his stay in Gareth Southgate's squad and build on his terrific start to the current campaign which has brought him four goals already.

Mido said: "I have made mistakes in my career with some of my moves. I didn't stay and fight for my position.

"Now I have to learn from the past and think that it is not always an option to go somewhere else when I am not in the team.

"Sometimes you have to test yourself. You have to do everything you can to earn yourself a position in the starting 11."

At the same time, Mido admits he was close to pushing for a move away from Middlesbrough.

He suffered from injuries in his first 12 months on Teesside, while his weight ballooned towards the end of last season.

But a fitness regime during the summer help him to set new targets both physically and mentally.

Mido said: "At certain moments I was very close to leaving Middlesbrough.

"But when I spoke to the manager I was told that I was part of his plans and he wanted me to stay.

"I have had several clubs, that's true, but maybe it's time for me to face the problems and fight for my position.

"I am staying at Middlesbrough and I will see whether it will work or not.

"But I have worked very hard to try to make it work. I have spent the whole summer working on my fitness and I think I am starting to see the benefits now."