MIDDLESBROUGH welcome back Juninho to first-team competitive action at the Riverside for the first time in almost three years this afternoon - with manager Steve McClaren refusing to rule out a late push for a European spot.

The Boro boss confirmed his Brazilian playmaker will take some part in today's game at the Riverside against Everton, and then backed the World Cup winner's claim that a UEFA Cup place is still up for grabs.

Middlesbrough go into today's game in 12th position - nine points adrift of Spurs in eighth place with a game in hand.

And as McClaren shut the door firmly on a back-door route into Europe through the InterToto Cup, he still believed the club's season is far from over.

When asked about a European place McClaren said: "I rule out nothing because who knows?

"There's 33 points to play for. That's what we're aiming for: to win all 11 games.

"We're not going to go anywhere and settle for a draw, we're going out to win games and we'll see where we are at the end of the season."

The Riverside crowd is sure to give Juninho a warm welcome with the Brazil international likely to take his place on the Boro bench today.

Ironically the 30-year-old's last competitive game in a Middlesbrough shirt was against today's visitors; Juninho scoring in the final appearance of his second spell with the Teessiders at Goodison Park in May 2000.

He will be joined on the bench by Ugo Ehiogu, who returns after puncturing a lung and breaking ribs at Blackburn on New Year's Day.

McClaren re-signed Juninho from Atletico Madrid for £3.8m last summer, but then suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in a pre-season game in Italy.

The Boro boss will resist the temptation to throw his Brazilian ace straight into the fray, but said: "I never reveal my team on a Friday - but I can just say that he will be involved at some stage.

"Whether he plays or is on the bench - he's in the 16 - we'll decide tomorrow."

McClaren was still shocked at the level of support the player received from the fans in Tuesday's 9-0 win over a Bradford Reserve side.

"From the crowd we got against Alaves in the summer I knew he meant a lot to the fans," said McClaren. "But it was incredible: 20,000 people for a reserve game.

"But he's been here so many times by now he is a Boro lad.

"It just shows you the popularity of the wee man.

"But everybody has to remember it's a team game, it's not just about Juni.

"It's great to have him back, his enthusiasm and presence around the place has given everyone a lift.

"It was great to see him play. He looked as sharp as ever, as inventive as ever; had a hand in all nine goals just about, so he's going to be a great asset.

"He's got to be right; he's getting there and he's not 100 per cent. And that will take a while."

With 33 points to play for, McClaren will use the rest of the season to take a close look at his squad before he reassesses his playing staff in the summer.

And with yesterday seeing the deadline for InterToto Cup entries, McClaren sees no benefit of a pre-season starting at the end of June.

He said: "The most important thing is the Premier League - surviving in it, staying in it.

"We want to progress in it, getting in the top ten, the top eight, top six and I think the preparation for the Premier league season for those 38 games has to be the best.

"I think entering the InterToto isn't really the best preparation for that.

"Playing games at the end of June isn't the best preparation I think, which is why we have not entered."

Today's opponents Everton have been a revelation this season, and the fifth-placed side have manager David Moyes to thank for their rise according to the Boro boss.

McClaren rates the former Preston man so highly he believes he should be in line for the Manager of the Year award.

"He (Moyes) consolidated last season and they have certainly pushed on," said McClaren. "I have great admiration for what he has done.

"Without buying many players or bringing many in he's certainly turned round the fortunes there.

"He's served his apprenticeship at Preston and learned everything there, and was waiting for an opportunity in the Premiership and he's certainly taken it.

"He's probably pushing for Manager of the Year the way he's progressed the Everton team - the way he's got them up there and stayed there.

"He's been under pressure with Rooney and I think he's handled that very well.

"He's kept him out of the spotlight as much as he could. Playing him sometimes, keeping him on the bench and bringing him on.

"If you look at the way Man. United and Alex Ferguson handle their youngsters, Moyes is certainly emulating that with Rooney."

Read more about Middlesbrough here.