STEVE McCLAREN looks set to give out-of-favour Juninho an SOS call following Middlesbrough's latest long-term injury set-back.

Boro expect to hear today the extent of Malcolm Christie's leg break, and whether or not he requires surgery.

But even if Christie does not need an operation on his snapped right tibia, the former Derby County man will still be ruled out until at least the New Year.

With Joseph-Desire Job already unavailable with a serious knee injury and both Szilard Nemeth and Michael Ricketts struggling for form, Boro are in the midst of a striker crisis.

McClaren is now likely to hand Juninho a chance to stake a claim to become the new partner of record buy Massimo Maccarone, who has only just returned to first-team action after sustaining ankle ligament damage in the summer.

Juninho, who has not started a match since the defeat to Bolton on September 13, scored one and created the other for Gaizka Mendieta after coming off the bench against Wolves last weekend in the 2-0 win.

And now the little Brazilian, who favours a role just behind the front two, is on the verge of a return to McClaren's starting line-up for the trip to Aston Villa on Saturday.

The Boro manager is already considering a swoop into the transfer market when the window opens in January after Christie's freak training ground injury.

But with so many front-men on the club's wage bill already, chairman Steve Gibson is only likely to sanction a loan deal for a player - possibly from Europe.

McClaren, though, will be hoping that Juninho can adapt to life as a striker and that his fit forwards - Maccarone, Ricketts and Nemeth - can prove there is no need to bring in new firepower.

Another South American, Carlos Marinelli, is the subject of interest from clubs in Spain.

Malaga are the latest thought to be keeping tabs on the his situation, after La Liga outfit Espanyol were linked with the attacking midfielder.

Marinelli spent three months on loan at Italian side Torino last season and his impressive form alerted many other Serie A clubs.

However, a deal failed to materialse during the summer, although Marinelli's future at the Riverside does look in the balance with his contract due to expire at the end of the campaign.

Meanwhile, Boro are still waiting to hear the outcome of the Football Association's investigations into the tunnel fracas following the victory over Wolves.

* Boro's Carling Cup fourth-round clash with Everton has been arranged for December 3 at the Riverside.

* Former England captain Bryan Robson's bid to become coach of the Nigerian national team looks to have hit financial problems.

The former Middlesbrough manager was expected to take over as boss of the Super Eagles but his reported wage demands, believed to be in the region of £30,000 a month, have stalled the deal.

Nigerian Sports Minister Musa Mohammed said he would not agree to Robson's appointment unless the cost of his wages was met by outside sponsorship.

''The NFA could not convince me they can pay the 50,000 US dollars a month they promised Mr Robson,'' said Mohammed.

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