LOAN star Doriva could be handed another chance this weekend to prove he is worth a permanent contract at Middlesbrough.

The Brazilian, on loan from Spanish side Celta Vigo until the end of the season, was impressive when he made his debut in the 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday in the absence of injured George Boateng.

And Northern Echo Sport understands that Boateng, who had hoped to make a return to action at Manchester City, is still struggling with an ankle injury.

The Dutchman has been receiving treatment on the ankle ligament damage he picked up in the draw with Charlton on March 22.

Boro boss Steve McClaren spoke highly of Doriva's display against the Baggies and he will not hesitate in selecting the Celta man at Maine Road.

Should Boateng lose his battle to be fit for the trip to Kevin Keegan's City, it will pile the frustration on the former Aston Villa man.

Since making the £5m switch from Villa Park last summer, the 27-year-old has had to cope with three serious injuries.

Boateng missed three games in September with a pulled hamstring and was sidelined for several weeks after undergoing surgery on a knee injury just after Christmas.

He returned to the Boro midfield for the win over Newcastle United on March 5. But after just playing two games he picked up his latest set-back against the Addicks.

And Boateng told his personal website: "It's so frustrating because I was finally getting back to my best form.

"Everyone in the squad was getting back to full fitness and we were unbeaten in six games and full of optimism.

"Injury-wise it's not been a good season for me. I've never really been injured before, but now I've had three bad injuries in one season."

January sales buy Michael Ricketts is also set to miss the trip to Manchester on Saturday with the ankle injury that kept him out of the West Brom fixture.

The striker lost his place after failing to score in his first four games since arriving at the Riverside in a £2.5m deal from Bolton.

Ricketts, who has one England cap, picked up the injury in the Reserves' victory over Sheffield Wednesday last week, but he is expected to be in contention for the home clash with Arsenal a week on Saturday.

* Boro manager McClaren will be guest of honour when a host of Boro greats turn out in honour of the late Willie Maddren next month.

Willie's wife, Hilary, and former Boro skipper Gordon Jones are organising a Willie Maddren Memorial Dinner in aid of Motor Neurone Disease research.

Stars attending the fundraising dinner at the Tall Trees Hotel in Yarm on May 4 include John Hickton, Gary Pallister, Colin Cooper, David Armstrong, Bernie Slaven, Mark Proctor, Tony McAndrew, and Jones himself.

Tickets, priced £375 for a table of ten, include a three-course meal, entertainment from Connelly and a question and answer session with McClaren. Tickets are available on (01642) 640092.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.