MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren has warned his side to be wary of a backlash from Chelsea tomorrow in the wake of the Blues' Champions League defeat by Besiktas.

Claudio Ranieri's mega-money side surrendered their unbeaten record this season against the Turkish title holders at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

But McClaren has seen sufficient of the £100m-plus squad assembled since billionaire Russian oil baron Roman Abramovich's Chelsea takeover to convince him they can end Manchester United and Arsenal's dual domination of the English game.

McClaren said: "There's a danger of a backlash. They won't be happy about losing the way they did. They'll be angry and with that anger comes more of an attitude to put things right. Sometimes these things are a reality check, but whichever Chelsea team play, you now you're always in for a hard game.

"I think what has happened at Chelsea is good for the game. It's better to have three challengers for the title than only two.

"They are putting together a team who can win the Premier League, because they have the players. I don't go along with the view that it'll take a year or two for them to gel.

"The only problem Ranieri has is keeping all the players happy. I know from my time at Manchester United that world-class players want to play every week. Ranieri will have to make tough decisions and he's done that already.

"I wouldn't call them an exhibition side - they want to win things. I think there's an air of excitement here about this game. Chelsea are a team people will come to see because of the players they have.''

McClaren, rocked by the loss of striker Joseph-Desire Job for four months after the Cameroon star underwent surgery for torn lateral knee ligaments, welcomes the return from injury of midfielder Gaizka Mendieta.

The Spanish star, who arrived from Lazio just before the transfer deadline, has missed Boro's three-match winning run with a calf problem, and McClaren said: "It's a massive boost to have him back.

"We've been very impressed with him. We knew he had ability and technique, but he's shown a tremendous attitude and commitment which is vital in the Premier League.''

McClaren, who described the injury to Job as a "massive loss'', could recall Juninho after leaving the Brazilian out of the starting line-up in the last three games. Strikers Michael Ricketts and Szilard Nemeth are also in contention.

McClaren confirmed that Boro failed in an attempt to persuade Chelsea to allow on-loan Bolo Zenden to face his parent club.

He said: "We tried but you can understand why they didn't want him to play.

"He's very frustrated because he's slipped into the team here very well. He's going to be a very good player for us.''

Geremi, who joined Chelsea after a successful season on loan with Boro, makes his first return to the Riverside, and McClaren said: "He keeps in touch and says he always looks for our results.''

Boro skipper Gareth Southgate is a major doubt with the groin injury which forced him to miss the 1-0 win at Southampton a week ago.

McClaren said: "Gareth should be fit in a couple of weeks for our home game against Newcastle. He's close to being fit now and we'll give him as long as we can, but he's looking doubtful.''

Striker Massimo Maccarone, who marked his midweek comeback in the Reserves by scoring inside the first five minutes, is still "two or three weeks short'' of fitness after sitting out the start of the season with ankle trouble.

Meanwhile, Boro were yesterday still waiting to hear officially from the FA about their decision to refer Franck Queudrue's part in the dismissal of Southampton striker Kevin Phillips to the video advisory panel.

But if Queudrue is charged, Boro will appeal.

* Boro winger Allan Johnston is out of action with a recurrence of the broken foot he suffered on loan at Sheffield Wednesday last season.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.