ALAN WRIGHT last night revealed that Juninho has buried the hatchet over the two horror tackles that crocked the Brazilian in his first spell with Middlesbrough.

The diminutive pair - Juninho stands an inch taller at 5ft 5 - are now Boro teammates following Wright's recent arrival from Aston Villa on a free transfer.

But the left-back is quick to acknowledge that he gave Juninho a hard time in successive Villa Park clashes in 1996, incurring the wrath of former Boro boss Bryan Robson.

Wright admitted: "Juninho and I have crossed paths before. Twice when I played against him for Villa he was stretchered off.

"But that was completely incidental, it wasn't done on purpose. To be fair, he's never even mentioned it, so you have to take your hat off to him for that. Obviously, I'm not going to mention it!

"He's a fantastic player who oozes quality. I'd rather be on his team than playing against him.''

Wright has fonder memories of a game at the Riverside on New Year's Day of the calendar year in question.

The former England Under-21 international scored a stunning goal in Villa's 2-0 victory. "I remember it vividly because I don't score many goals,'' said Wright, who has managed only six in 432 League appearances.

The move to Boro on a one-year deal came after Wright pulled out of a trial with Rangers under mysterious circumstances.

At the time, he said he was motoring to Teesside to join Boro on trial when his agent alerted him to Rangers' interest and told him to "turn the car round''.

But Wright yesterday insisted: "I never turned Middlesbrough down. They were aware of the situation regarding Rangers and Middlesbrough came back to me through Steve Harrison.

"I had a couple of days with Rangers. I came away for personal reasons - I would rather keep that to myself. It just wasn't right.

"I then spoke to Steve Harrison, who invited me for a week's training and a few days in Marbella with the rest of the lads.

"The fact that I know Steve, Gareth Southgate, Ugo Ehiogu, George Boateng and Paul Barron from my Villa days, is a big plus. It helps you to settle in.

"It was a wrench to leave Villa after eight years, but last season wasn't a good one for me. Graham Taylor was in charge and preferred J Lloyd Samuel.''

Wright is set to make his competitive bow for Boro in tomorrow's season opener against Fulham at Loftus Road.

But he conceded: "It's not going to be easy for me to keep my place; there's going to be a bit of a duel between me and Franck Queudrue.

"He's banned for the first five games which gives me a bit of an advantage, but there are also David Murphy - once he's fit - and Colin Cooper, who play on the left side.

"This defence has to be one of the best in the country. Gareth and Ugo have both played for England, Colin is very experienced and Chris Riggott and Andrew Davies are coming through.

"On the right, we've got Stuart Parnaby and Robbie Stockdale, so there's a lot of strength.

"I think this club is going places. Our aim has to be to get a UEFA Cup spot.''

Wright, 32 next month, admits manager Steve McClaren's decision to take him on eased worries over his future.

"It's a bit stressful when you come to the end of July and have no income,'' said Wright.

"There's extra pressure now with clubs offering players only one-year deals. I read there were about 700 players out of contract this summer, which is quite daunting when you're one of that many looking for a club.''

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